From my youth and well into womanhood I suffered from timidity and self-consciousness. Much of this dropped away as I studied Christian Science, but I never completely faced up to the feelings, nor realized the importance of correcting error in my thought with spiritual truth, until the lesson came home to me in a very forceful way.
When we had to uproot ourselves from our home in northern California, which we loved very much, and move to another home about fifty miles away, there were many adjustments to be made. Our three young children were changing schools, leaving friends, and so forth.
About this time I found a series of boils in the pit of my arm. When my own prayers didn't bring signs of healing, and I was unable to continue caring for my family, I asked a Christian Science practitioner for help. She immediately showed me the need to purify thought by examining my motives and affections. She had me read Hymn No. 182 in the Christian Science Hymnal, which includes these lines:
