It's difficult to summarize in a few paragraphs a lifetime of "adventures" as a Christian Scientist and to convey fully my sense of gratitude.
Perhaps what first comes to mind is the increased understanding of man's completeness and fulfillment I have gained through Science. This has required conscientious, prayerful work, but progress came with the realization that completeness comes from God, that it is not dependent on person, place, or thing. This spiritual effort has brought into my life more interesting and wonderful persons, places, and things than I ever could have imagined, even though that was not my goal.
Another cause for thankfulness is the growth in my understanding of man's true employment. In midlife, with little prior preparation and few material resources, I became my sole financial provider; but as I look back, it is truly wonderful to realize how caring and protective God was even when my understanding of Him as the source of all supply was still small.
At one point, when one job was ending, I thought, "But I don't have the education, training, specialization, or experience to compete in today's market." Almost instantly these ideas flooded my consciousness: "Just who is your employer? If it is God, you have to look at job requirements and qualifications spiritually. Now then, your education has come from the study of the Bible and Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy. Your training has come from family members and dear friends who are Christian Scientists, Christian Science practitioners, and your devoted Christian Science teacher. Your specialization is a growing understanding of God and the teachings of Christ Jesus. You have had an abundance of experience in all these areas. So, you see, you are qualified after all!"
The transition to a new job that actually seemed to be waiting for me was smooth, and now, some years later, I am doing still different work in a complex, very interesting and rewarding field.
From the viewpoint both of my own Christian Science upbringing and then as a parent of four children, I say without equivocation I am convinced there is no better way to raise children. My children and I turned to God for every physical and emotional need, with excellent results. I'll mention just two of the many instances of healing.
When our youngest daughter was three years old, we had a large tomcat and a feisty terrier dog who didn't always get along. One day the dog, thinking it was feeding time, hurled himself against the outside of the kitchen screen door, barking excitedly, just as this daughter, who was holding the cat, walked past. The cat, in terror, viciously turned on the girl, imbedding his claws in her face and chest, and biting her like a wildcat. It took great strength to pull the cat away from her.
My husband was not a Christian Scientist, but he always agreed to Christian Science treatment for the children. I quickly called a practitioner and asked for prayerful support. Then my husband and I carefully washed and bandaged our daughter's wounds, which were many and severe, while I prayed and sang loved hymns from the Christian Science Hymnal to her. She stopped crying and became comfortable almost immediately. She ate a normal supper, slept well, and during the entire healing process— which was rapid and without physical or psychological aftereffects—she truly exhibited no discomfort.
There is an addendum to this story—what I call a bonus healing, in that I didn't even think to pray about it. I fully intended to give the cat away at once, but peace descended so quickly that one day, seeing the cat and dog lying cozily side by side, I realized that six months had passed. There had not been one snarl between them during that time, nor was there ever again in the many years that followed.
The second healing I would like to relate is that of a severe throat infection, and I was the one afflicted. Although I prayed diligently for several days, the condition grew worse until by the weekend I was too weak to get out of bed, and swallowing even small amounts of liquids became exceedingly difficult. I grew a bit discouraged and wondered how I was going to care for our small child when my husband would return to work on Monday.
Sunday morning I turned on a Christian Science radio program. I remember being somewhat disappointed because I had wanted to hear about physical healings, and here I was, listening to a program about courage. But when the program was over I found myself, without even thinking, getting out of bed, quite strong and able to conduct myself normally. By the next day I was completely healed.
In trying to understand this healing, I realized that courage and discouragement could be seen as opposites, and that the program's message of spiritual courage had wiped out my discouragement. This had led to the quick healing.
Christian Science, this wonderful Science of Christianity, which Mrs. Eddy so unselfishly struggled to give to the world, is indeed an unparalleled gift.
New York, New York
