For many years our family struggled hopelessly with various physical problems. The inconsistencies we encountered in medical theories had shaken our faith in medicine, but we had nothing to take its place; so it continued to govern much of our lives. We had a child with an incurable allergy for whom medical expenses were a constant drain on our finances. Finally, we made the decision to move to the Midwest, where jobs were said to be plentiful and a change of atmosphere would, we hoped, help the child.
A year later, when the physical problem was unimproved and our funds exhausted, a friend presented Christian Science to us. This was the first real ray of hope we had had for some time. She encouraged us to call a Christian Science practitioner just to talk about God and how prayer could help us. We hesitated, thinking we couldn't talk about God to anyone over the phone. However, we called a practitioner and later visited him. Through the prayer, love, and assurances of this individual, our hope began to reach a degree of faith that heaven on earth is a present possibility.
Our friend took us to services in a branch Church of Christ, Scientist, where the members warmly welcomed us and showed their concern in practical ways. The children were enrolled in the Sunday School, and we began daily study of the Bible Lesson in the Christian Science Quarterly, using the Bible and Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy. Through this consistent study and effort to practice what we were learning, our faith was growing to some understanding of our spiritual relationship to God.
The child who had been experiencing extreme allergic reactions to many things was completely healed. This healing came gradually as a strong feeling of human will between my husband and me yielded to a greater understanding of God's control over all. As we continued relying radically on God for our support, a birth defect in our son's foot was corrected through prayer. Every avenue of our lives was being touched and improved by the healing Christ.
Reaping so many rewards from church attendance made me desire to give more fully, so I joined The Mother Church and a branch church. This immediately began a cultivation within me of more love, patience, and understanding. However, at one point my husband was not happy with the demands of church activity, so he gave up the study of Science. I went on to the rewarding event of class instruction, which became possible after a great deal of prayer. The arrangements worked out in a way that could not have been outlined. This was certainly evidence that if we trust God with our real desires, He will satisfy them.
Some time later a sudden, shattering incident with one of the children took the props right out from under us. There was no place to go for help but to God. And, with the assistance of a practitioner, we turned to Him. The love, strength, patience, and spiritual perception that welled up in my husband at that time were truly derived from Spirit and enabled us to stand strong until healing came.
With this humble turning to God, my husband returned to church, where he found much good in the opportunities to serve. After that he expressed a truer sense of manhood and fatherhood, which has continued to bless the whole family. During that time he also let go of much fearful, limited thinking, false responsibility, and pride. This purification of thought brought about complete healings of an ulcerated leg and a longstanding habit of smoking. Then he, too, found church membership and class instruction a great privilege. In retrospect, we both recognize that this uniting with our church home opened the way for us to own our first house and to find continuing blessings as well as opportunities to help others.
I am sincerely grateful to God for His Church, and for the dedicated work of the Master, Christ Jesus, and his faithful follower, Mrs. Eddy, who brought us a clear concept of the spiritual nature of Church. Deep humility and love for God underlie my gratitude for the healing mission of the Church of Christ, Scientist, which is blessing the world. The good in my life today is the result of uniting with this church.
Aurora, Illinois
I want to add my gratitude to my wife's testimony. As a witness to the events described by her, I am happy to verify their accuracy.
For freedom from the smoking habit of twenty-five years, I am most grateful. My desire to unite with church—the greatest force for good in the world today—was stronger than any false appetite, regardless of how many years standing, because that desire was supported and sustained by God. At that time my hours of employment required that I work until six o'clock Sunday morning, which made attendance at the Sunday morning services seem next to impossible. Without a word spoken to my employer, suddenly the hours were changed, and I was able to attend church. For these blessings, including opportunities to serve in the branch church and class instruction, I am very grateful.
