I learned about the blessings of forgiveness many years ago, after my husband’s passing. I was faced with difficult problems. It wasn’t easy being alone with our four young children—the littlest was only three years old. Although I was 29 at the time and had a job, my in-laws said I was too young to take care of the children by myself. My in-laws even decided I should marry my brother-in-law. When I refused the marriage, they came to my family’s house and told me to get out and leave everything behind. But I did not leave. I told my in-laws that I was fully capable of raising my children.
During this tough time, I became very interested in Christian Science. My father had been studying Christian Science for a few years and encouraged me to regain hope through God’s infinite goodness. In the past, he had talked to me about Christian Science and given me copies of the French edition of The Herald of Christian Science, which I always read with great interest. But when I began having difficulties with my family, my dad invited me to attend the Christian Science Sunday services and Wednesday testimony meetings at his church. I accepted the invitation.
As my family situation worsened, my father encouraged me to meet with a Christian Science practitioner, which I did. The practitioner welcomed me, and listened to all of my complaints. He then suggested that I forgive and love my in-laws. I told the practitioner that would be an impossible feat, because I felt they did not love me at all, and deserved to be treated the same way they were treating me. But the practitioner patiently explained the importance of forgiveness—how it results in healing and progress in life. So, I promised him that I would try.
