As far back as I can remember as a child, I felt a closeness to God. If I felt ill, I refused medicine, although I had no knowledge of Christian Science. The dear woman who took care of me while my parents were working taught me the value of prayer.
The realization that God is our true Father-Mother has been the greatest strength to me. My first healing after I learned about Christian Science took place when I first used my apartment's gas oven. I noticed that the pilot light was out. When I lighted a match to it, the oven exploded, knocking me against the wall. I went immediately to the Bible and to Science and Health for comfort. I was shaking so much, however, that I could not read. I sought the help of a neighbor, a Methodist minister who lived in a nearby apartment. His wife knew a Christian Science practitioner, whom she called for me, and the practitioner agreed to pray for me. I returned to my apartment and washed off the ashes.
Another friend knocked at the door, and I asked her to read to me from the Bible and Science and Health, which she did. I also began silently repeating everything I could think of that I was grateful for. Then I fell asleep. An hour later, I woke healed of all the pain. My friend and I rejoiced. Within a few days there was no trace of burns on my face or hands and my hair had grown back in.
