Growing up in a happy home where Christian Science was daily loved and lived is a blessing for which I will always be grateful. Christian Science means encouragement everything to me, and this testimony is offered for the encouragement of others, with deep appreciation for the inspiration I find in each testimony shared in the Christian Science periodicals.
As a child I was shy and dreaded being called on in school. Through prayer, I made great progress in overcoming this fear. But as a young adult, although I had experienced many healings, fear still kept me from giving a testimony at a Wednesday evening church service. I had demonstrated the ability to testify at the Christian Science organization at my university, and had been a Reader there; but that small group of friends seemed far less imposing than a congregation in a large church auditorium. I prayed often to feel the level of trust Moses felt when God chided him for doubting his own ability, and when He assured him, "I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say" (Ex. 4:12).
Overflowing gratitude finally impelled me to stand and give a very short testimony one Wednesday evening. Disappointed with what I felt was a poor, albeit sincere, presentation, I wondered how I could ever attempt this again. Self-condemnation poured in, threatening to minimize the importance of that footstep of progress. However, divine Love has a way of touching our hearts to meet the need of the moment. After the service, a former Sunday School teacher came up to me with genuine appreciation, saying, "Thank you for that lovely testimony." The self-condemnation melted, and from that moment on my desire and ability to testify increased.
