When I was a young mother with two very young children, I fell into a dark sadness and depression. I felt unloved and unwanted, and my marriage was in serious trouble. It was a time when I just wanted to “stop the world,” so to speak, and get off. My church attendance had all but come to a halt for several years.
One day when I felt totally alone, I asked God to help me. Almost immediately the thought came: “Go to church tonight.” It was Wednesday, which meant there would be an evening testimony meeting at the branch Church of Christ, Scientist, nearby. I had always made excuses not to attend these Wednesday testimony meetings. Because this was such a surprising and unexpected thought, I thought about it seriously, and decided to give it a shot. I called a babysitter and went to church alone that night.
Christian Science testimony meetings include readings from the Bible and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, the textbook of Christian Science, written by Mary Baker Eddy. There is also time for attendees to share testimonies about how turning to God and the truths of Christian Science has restored harmony and brought healing. That night I heard some wonderful testimonies and learned how other people were praying in a way that I had never known. They told of healings that had come, not just by asking God for help, but by thanking God in advance for His guidance, love, and omnipotent care.
