A young man aspired to devote his life to the healing practice of Christian Science. He asked for an interview with a practitioner whom he admired very much for his clear, spiritual thinking and strong healing work. The young man drove ten hours to the city where this practitioner lived, hoping to ask many questions and gain insights into what would strengthen his own approach to his practice.
As the interview began, the earnest young man said, "I just want to be a better practitioner!" The more experienced practitioner replied, "Well, if you want to be, then you will be." The young man realized that this was what he had come to hear. Although the conversation continued, both men knew that that first exchange was why they had come together. There really wasn't a great deal more to say. The whole trip was worth that one answer, the new practitioner later told me.
He was no longer "new" to Christianly scientific practice. He'd been successfully healing for many years. I'd been healed through his prayers on several occasions, and now, because I was entering the full-time public practice, I'd come to him to ask questions.