I am truly grateful to have been raised to know Christian Science. Glimpses of God's great love for us all, and of His ever-presence and power, have blessed and sustained me in my studies, career, health, and relations with others. Participation in branch church activities has led me to a better understanding of the spiritual perfection of man. Often lessons learned in church activities have prepared me to face challenges at work. For example, I conquered the fear of standing up in front of others when I had to introduce a church lecturer—I prayed to perceive that all the audience could see was God's spiritual idea. This newfound understanding helped me later on when I was required to give presentations at my office.
An experience that means a great deal to me occurred several years ago, during a week of skiing in the Swiss Alps. The weather conditions had changed drastically overnight from clear skies to heavy snow and low visibility. On reaching the top of the ski lift, a friend and I decided to go down different parts of one familiar ski run. What I had not noticed the day before (and could not see that day because of the falling snow!) was that the top of the run I planned to use was situated on a ledge. (I later learned that usually there was a rope placed as a barrier across the top of this section to help prevent people from falling off the back part of the run.)
I accidentally fell down that side of the run, for a distance of at least thirty meters (more than ninety feet), into a gully. As I was falling I tried to stop myself with my feet and legs, but without success. It was not until in desperation I shouted out "God, help me!" that I instantly stopped sliding. I was not injured.
