My sister's children are in college, and mine are in high school and junior high. Over the years we've both learned that turning to God for guidance has enabled us to raise healthy and happy kids and to have a more harmonious home and family. My sister and I were brought up to love God, and it has always been natural for us to trust the Bible's accounts of God's care for His creation. Another book that has helped us understand God is Science and Health with key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy. It illuminates the Bible.
When my sister suggested that we read Science and Health through each month during the school year as a spiritual support for our children, I heartily agreed. Our mom decided to join us.
When Mrs. Eddy was revising this book, she gathered together 84 testimonies that had been previously verified and published in the Christian Science periodicals, and included them in a chapter called "Fruitage." These were accounts of healings experienced simply by reading Science and Health! A few of these early testifiers stated that they didn't even understand what they were reading at the time. And others pointed out that neither the Bible nor religion had held any interest for them prior to reading Science and Health. Yet in every case they were healed — some instantly — of conditions such as broken bones, terminal diseases, hereditary difficulties, growths.
I decided to start my reading each day with a few pages from this chapter. Then I would read about 20 pages from the rest of the book. In this way, I was reminded that what I was reading had already changed lives. I found that striving to be consistent in reading helped me to be successful in meeting other goals I had set for myself. These goals included more regular contact with family members in other cities, keeping my home cleaner, becoming more patient and making a greater effort to practice the Golden Rule.
Healing is a natural outcome of God's law.
During this nine-month period, I started to read a few pages of the Bible each day as well. This enhanced what I was learning from my daily reading because the inspired messages of these two books are completely compatible.
Science and Health shows that the healings in the Bible aren't miracles or the result of some special dispensation. They're the natural outcome of God's law, promoting harmony. Science and Health identifies God as the Principle behind this law, explains how Jesus and others in the Bible followed this Principle, and shows how the practice of Christian Science, or divine law, brings healing. In addition, the book explores the spiritual meaning of many Bible passages and key words.
At the end of the school year, I looked back at what I'd learned. I certainly had gained a much greater familiarity with the precepts of Christian Science. But more than that, I had a deeper appreciation for and understanding of its spirit. The study reinforced my desire to be obedient to the commands of Christ Jesus. As a result, I had a number of physical healings. For example, I was healed of an infected pierced ear and an irregular menstrual flow. Also, my cat had a growth in her throat, and it was naturally expelled during this time.
How was my family helped? I've developed closer, more trusting relationships with my children. And they're learning more about God's power in their lives. My husband and I have strengthened our marriage. Relationships with extended family, which had been strained, have gotten better. A family member who was unemployed found a job. Living conditions improved. My sister and my mom had healings as well.
Could all of this be coincidence? I say no. This was the kind of result Mrs. Eddy hoped for. In her Preface to Science and Health she says: "In the spirit of Christ's charity,—as one who 'hopeth all things, endureth things,' and is joyful to bear consolation to the sorrowing and healing to the sick,—she commits these pages to honest seekers for Truth." Science and Health, p. xii.
