WHEN I TALKED RECENTLY WITH Christian Science practitioner and teacher BARBARA FIFE, I found it hard to imagine that this inspiring—and inspired—healer at one point in her life doubted that God even exists. Or as she tells it, "I remember thinking that if God did exist, He couldn't possibly know or care about me." Yet from this state of skepticism and uncertainty, Barbara came back from her spiritual wanderings so completely that she wound up dedicating her life to helping others on their journeys toward healing and salvation.
Those few years of doubt, turmoil, and confusion now seem long behind her, indeed. These days, when she's not at her desk taking calls in her busy healing practice or teaching her annual class on Christian Science from her home base in Vancouver, British Columbia, Barbara travels across Canada and the US lecturing on Christian Science. Our conversation ranged over many topics, but space allows for just a taste of that moving and spirited dialogue. Here are some excerpts.
MARILYN JONES: Barbara, I know you went through a pretty dark period in your life when you called into question the very existence of our Creator. And I'm grateful that your searching brought you back to your spiritual roots. Back not only to your literal home, to your family, but also back to your church and to its teachings. I wonder if you'd tell us about that time and how you found your way back. What happened?
