By the time our first child was born, I had already suffered for several years from a nervous condition of the stomach—a recurring reaction from having taken what was then termed a "wonder" medication for colds. A few months after the birth, the obstetrician prescribed a hormone drug. This brought about severe recurring female problems, and eventually my health became quite poor. At this time I resolved not to use any more medication and began looking in other directions for healing, even though I felt that I was floundering in the dark and, at times, had a great deal of fear. I tried osteopathy, chiropractics, hydropathy, health foods, and vegetarianism. Poor health continued, however, until about a year later I weighed only eighty-nine pounds. In this despairing condition I hired a woman to help me care for my home and child. When telling her of all that I was doing to improve my health, she made this simple statement: "Prayer helps too."
I felt I was innately a religious person, having chosen of my own accord to be baptized in a Protestant church at nine years of age. I loved all that I understood of God. However, I had never thought that prayer to God could bring healing, as the church of which I was a member laid stress and support on medical treatment.
After that I began reading my Bible with a deeper desire for understanding. At one point, I was led to dwell on the third chapter of Proverbs, where we are instructed (vv. 5, 6): "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Also (4:5): "Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not." Not feeling well enough to attend church, I began listening to Sunday morning religious broadcasts on the radio—especially to those that focused on the healing power of God. I heard a very convincing testimony of healing given on a Christian Science radio program and learned that I could obtain a copy of the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy, at the public library. (This was helpful information as there was no Christian Science Reading Room in the small town where we lived at that time.) I felt somehow that this book might be a link to the wisdom and understanding I so greatly needed.
