The encouragement I've received from reading the inspiring accounts of healings in the Christian Science periodicals impels me to add my own.
As I count my blessings, heading the list is the fact that my parents were receptive when an American business acquaintance lovingly introduced them to Christian Science and helped them obtain a copy of the textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy (in German) while they were living in Switzerland. This took place several years before my sister and I were born, so we've always known the joy that actively practicing Christian Science brings.
One of my earliest recollections is hearing my mother sing the hymn "Mother's Evening Prayer," with words by our Leader, Mrs. Eddy (Christian Science Hymnal, No. 207). I also remember with gratitude my Sunday School training, which began in the Christian Science Society in Geneva, Switzerland (of which my parents were charter members), continued in a branch Church of Christ, Scientist, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and was completed in another branch church in Washington, District of Columbia.
Christian Science class instruction from a faithful, dedicated teacher was a "pearl of great price" (Matt. 13:46). It was for me a fulfilling of the prophecy found in Revelation (3:8): "Behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it." And it proved a sure foundation on which to live a spiritually progressive life. Among the many blessings brought about by the study and application of Christian Science are healings of female periodic pain, a skin allergy, hay fever, migraine headaches, a growth on a finger, timidity and extreme sensitiveness, and discordant relationships. The following healings are related in some detail.
Shortly after my marriage, I applied for a driver's license and took the required eye test. But I was shocked when I was told that I had not passed it, for I'd never worn glasses, nor had I ever had any problems with my vision. Having recently taken class instruction, I wrote to my teacher and asked for her help. She referred me to our Leader's words in Science and Health (p. 412): "The power of Christian Science and divine Love is omnipotent. It is indeed adequate to unclasp the hold and to destroy disease, sin, and death." I earnestly studied the meaning of this passage as well as the definition of "eyes" in the Glossary of Science and Health, which begins (p. 586): "Spiritual discernment,—not material but mental."
At about this time my husband's job necessitated our moving overseas. I did not need to drive in our new location but continued my prayerful work anyway. When we returned to the United States three years later, I again applied for a driver's license and this time passed all the requirements with ease—including the eye test. Since then I have enjoyed the freedom of driving for many years.
Some time ago I was faced with an internal disorder, which manifested itself in pain, bleeding, and extreme weakness. I called a Christian Science practitioner often during this period, and each time I was encouraged and felt stronger. The patience and loving care my family gave me were of tremendous help and enabled me to complete all necessary tasks. Church attendance became the most looked-forward-to event of the week—I drank in the spiritual truths contained in the readings from the Bible and from the Christian Science textbook, as well as those brought out in the healings related during Wednesday testimony meetings. I also learned the necessity of overcoming fear daily in my prayerful metaphysical work for myself. Outstanding in my prayerful work was this thought from Science and Health (p. 14): "Become conscious for a single moment that Life and intelligence are purely spiritual,—neither in nor of matter,—and the body will then utter no complaints. If suffering from a belief in sickness, you will find yourself suddenly well." After several weeks the complete healing came, and with it came a stronger reliance on God, a conviction that Christian Science does heal, and a deeper desire for growth in grace.
The following healing brought much spiritual progress. Soon after our daughter began kindergarten, her teacher asked to see me. When we met, she expressed concern about the youngster's inability to hear adequately. I thanked her for her concern and assured her that the situation would be taken care of.
In my prayers to help the child I sought God's guidance and inspiration. At the end of the first semester, however, this same teacher again indicated her concern about the child's hearing problem. Much love was expressed by the teacher, and I explained to her that as Christian Scientists we were turning to God for healing of this difficulty. After this conversation, however, I felt overwhelmed with fear and responsibility. So I opened the Christian Science Hymnal and began singing. Each hymn I turned to brought comfort and peace; at that moment I was full of gratitude for the inspiration of the music and words. But it was Mrs. Eddy's poem "'Feed My Sheep'" that brought the specific answer to my prayer—particularly the lines, "I will listen for Thy voice, /Lest my footsteps stray" (Poems, p. 14). Reading that, I decided my daughter and I would strive to listen only to God's voice.
Evidence of this listening to God was seen in the yielding of impatience and human will to the Father's will. I realized that I had tended to shout to get my daughter's attention, and often was impatient when a prompt answer was not given. Part of the change in my attitude came about when I no longer raised my voice to speak to her. Instead, I went to where the child was and spoke in a normal tone of voice. As a result, there was less impatience on my part and better communication between us. I knew that both of us could hear God clearly at all times.
One evening, many months after I began this prayerful work, my daughter said, "Mom, I can hear Saki purr from where I'm sitting!" Saki was our cat, and he was curled up—at the opposite end of the room! What joy and gratitude I felt for this beautiful healing! And the spiritual lessons learned and transformations in character that had gradually taken place were proof to me that physical healing always accompanies genuine spiritual regeneration.
This daughter was also instantaneously healed of a persistent cough when we both prayed with one of her favorite Bible passages—part of the ninety-first Psalm (verses 2, 3): "I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence."
It's a joy to witness our daughter's love for the teachings of Christian Science and to see her turn eagerly to her Father-Mother God in times of challenge. The instruction in the Christian Science Sunday School is providing a solid basis for her growth Spiritward, just as it did for me.
This testimony would not be complete if I did not include thanks for the constant support given me by my husband (although not a branch church member) and daughter during my three-year term as First Reader in our branch church. Their love brought additional joy to this very happy time.
Littleton, Colorado
I am the daughter mentioned above. Although I don't recall the school teacher's remarks to my mom, I'm happy my hearing returned to normal. I've been taking piano lessons for several years, and enjoy playing the hymns for our Christian Science Sunday School.
