For the many individuals who have contributed to my growth in Christian Science, I would like to express my deepest gratitude. Having been raised by parents who are both Christian Scientists, I grew up in an atmosphere of deep love and joy. The few childhood difficulties I had were readily healed through my parents' prayers or through those of a Christian Science practitioner. Since becoming a parent myself, I can especially appreciate my own parents' freedom from fear and from a false sense of responsibility as I was growing up. I am also most grateful for the Christian Science Sunday School teachers and the practitioners, whose love and instruction continue to be a source of strength to me.
One particular Sunday School teacher gave us the assignment each week to memorize a passage from the Bible or from Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy. We were asked to put this statement into practice during the week, and then share the demonstration in class the following Sunday. Our teacher explained that once we understood through even modest demonstration the spiritual meaning behind the words, those truths would then be our "treasures in heaven" (see Matt. 6:20, 21). How often I have been grateful for these "treasures," which have come back to me at various times of need since. One experience stands out.
Several years ago, while my husband and I were living in Europe, we went on a weekend of sightseeing and left our baby with friends. On the day we were to return, I woke feeling extremely ill, with what seemed to be symptoms of food poisoning. As it was not possible for me to continue with the touring, we decided to drive home. However, on the trip back I became somewhat incoherent, which caused my husband alarm. Although he is not a Christian Scientist, he is most supportive of this religion. In this case he asked that I call either a Christian Science practitioner or a doctor. When we returned home I requested a short period of time alone, as I wanted to make the effort to pray for myself first before asking for help from a practitioner. My husband agreed to this. I trusted that if I could just get into bed and study the Bible and Science and Health, I would be healed.
