My first healing in Christian Science was an outstanding one for our family. Right after I had started first grade I became ill. This quickly led to complications and a number of other diseases. Eventually my condition was diagnosed as brain fever. Then, after months during which I was unable to move or talk, a severe case of chorea or St. Vitus' dance developed. In the house there were two medicine chests of pills, but the more I was given, the worse I became.
When nothing seemed to work, my parents became desperate. They called a neighbor who had earlier offered them a copy of Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy, which they had refused. The neighbor was a Christian Science practitioner. My parents threw out all medicine, accepted the book offered earlier, and asked the practitioner to pray for me. Gradually I began to improve, as my parents joyfully embraced the new and wonderful truths in this precious book. Eventually my health was fully restored.
The doctors had said that there was nothing more to be done for me, and that if I did survive, I would be in a wheelchair the rest of my life and should never think of bearing children. But these predictions were reversed. Today I have three beautiful children, all grown and married; and I have four lovely, lively grandchildren.
Looking back on the experience, I understand that although the illness seemed frightening and real at the time, my true selfhood as God's child was never touched by disease—a fact that my healing in Christian Science proved. My parents' loss of confidence in material means had prepared their thought to put their trust entirely in God, "the Lord that healeth thee" (Ex. 15:26).
Much later there was a period in my life when I drifted away from this Science for a while. But, at a time of need, I began to remember things I'd learned in a Christian Science Sunday School. At that point a dear friend supplied me with Christian Science literature and I became a serious student. Later I joined The Mother Church and a branch church and had Christian Science class instruction.
It is more than twenty years since my first testimony appeared, and there has been an abundance of blessings during that time. To me there is no such thing as a "big" or "little" healing, as each is an expression of God's love. But certain healings seem to leave an extra bright glow of inspiration that lights one's way to the next steppingstone. Some healings came through my own prayer; others with the aid of a practitioner.
An injured knee was healed when I realized clearly that man cannot fall away from God's protection, and I worked with this statement in Science and Health (p. 423): "Bones have only the substance of thought which forms them." Other healings have been those of ivy poisoning, effects of falls, burns, cuts, toothache, heart trouble, and so-called childhood diseases.
My husband passed on several years ago. Afterward, as I prayed about what to do, I felt it was right to move a long distance away, to another state. Soon I found myself in the position of having to make large mortgage payments on a home I'd bought, while paying bills on the house I had up for sale in the north.
As time went on and there was no buyer for the old house, my savings dwindled and I became frightened and depressed A sense of confusion assailed me, and to my dismay I couldn't seem to reason spiritually or pray in Science to help myself. I tried to reach out to God, but help was not apparent right away, simply because I was still thinking I had to do something to extricate myself from the situation.
Finally I called the practitioner who had assisted me so many times in the past. She encouraged me to trust God more, and she pointed out these verses in Proverbs (3:5, 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." I pondered these truths and cherished the true sense of home. I also felt confident that there was someone somewhere for whom this house would meet a need. It wasn't long before a buyer appeared and the whole matter was settled satisfactorily. I'm so very grateful for the Christian Science periodicals and all who contribute to them. There were so many wonderful articles on the subject of supply that helped me during the difficult times.
Each day I am learning a little more of the harmonious law of God. I am deeply grateful for Christian Science, and for all who have helped me along the way.
Norfolk, Virginia
