Mary Baker Eddy wrote, “In the words of St. John: ‘He shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever.’ This Comforter I understand to be Divine Science” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 55). That is consistent with my earliest memories of church. I attended a Christian Science Sunday School growing up, and in college, I attended a large university with an active Christian Science organization. That organization and the local Sunday School were a big part of my college experience. Still, as a teenager and young adult I became curious about how “other” people lived. While I never doubted Christian Science, I became curious about what seemed like a more “normal” life. This started with the occasional social drink with friends, then pharmaceutical choices for relief from a simple headache or cold. Soon, I got busy with my “normal” life and didn’t find time for church services anymore. I rarely studied the weekly Christian Science Bible Lesson. Eventually, my Bible and Science and Health left my nightstand and went to the bookshelf. I went on in this way for several years. If anyone asked, I would profess to being a Christian Scientist, but there wasn’t any real study or prayer included in my day-to-day life, and I wasn’t seeing much spiritual growth during this period.
My new sense of “normal” came to an abrupt halt with the birth of my first child. I was faced with an overwhelming sense of panic and inadequacy. Professionally and socially, I had always displayed characteristics of self-confidence. Yet, when faced with the responsibilities of motherhood, I was almost paralyzed with fear. Even though I had not included prayer or church in my daily routine for several years, within weeks of the birth of my child my thought turned immediately and naturally to Christian Science. I knew that God is our real Father and Mother—both mine and my child’s—and I also knew that everything I needed to know to care for my child would be found in the Bible and Science and Health. I retrieved my copies of the Bible and Science and Health from the bookshelf and began to try to read and pray. That’s when the direction of my life changed, and I began to redefine what church meant to me.
One Sunday, I decided to visit the local Christian Science church. I slipped into church at the last minute. When the service began, I was overwhelmed with a sense of comfort and well-being. When the service ended, I quickly gathered my son and his things and tried to slip away without having to face anyone. Still, just as I was getting into the car, one of the Readers approached me with a large smile and held out a jar of homemade preserves. As I remember it, she didn’t ask any questions or offer any information. She simply offered me the jar and engaged me in a few minutes of conversation. In her actions, and in the words she decided not to speak, this church was alive with purpose and meaning for me that day. I have always thought of that congregation and that Sunday service as a turning point for me in my own search for how to make Christian Science practical in my life. I have no doubt that the congregation was praying that day, and I felt loved and comforted by their prayers.
