"I love Thy way of freedom, Lord" is the first line from Hymn 136 in the Christian Science Hymnal. These words came to me as I pondered how I could begin a testimony about a lifetime of healings. I have found freedom from back, knee, and ankle problems, from boils and infection, from the fear of dying when I at first seemed to be losing consciousness and then wasn't able to eat.
This last-mentioned healing came while I was working in a fire station in a large city. Concerns had been expressed that I wasn't eating with the men and that my uniforms were "looking loose." A Christian Science practitioner whom I asked for help prayed first to free me from fear. I talked with her every day and read the Bible, Mrs. Eddy's writings, and other Christian Science literature every free moment. When the fire bell sounded I was able to respond actively, and words from the Bible like "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom" (Luke 12:32) would come to me.
The practitioner had asked me to read the Sermon on the Mount, found in Matthew, chapters 5, 6, and 7. I was doing this one afternoon at the fire station when I came to where the Bible says, "Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?" (6:25) Like a flash of light the realization came to me that my life is more than flesh and my true identity—the image and likeness of God—is more than something I clothe. Right then the dinner bell rang, and I went down and ate my first meal in over a month. I rapidly returned to my normal weight.
