Testimony of Healing January 16, 1978 Issue

My colleagues in journalism held The Christian Science Monitor in...

Susan Lamothe

My colleagues in journalism held The Christian Science Monitor in such high esteem, that I looked into this religion. At the time I had thought the claims of healing and regeneration through a study of Christian Science sounded too fantastic. Practicing Christian Science I felt wouldn't be easy because I thought I couldn't give up cigarettes. I read Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy a number of times, and although I quit smoking, I was bothered by feelings of missing it. Then a friend told me of a Christian Scientist who said he once had a desire for a cigarette, even though he'd never smoked. This really opened my eyes! I realized that this was not a weakness of my personal character, but a general temptation, which I could deny with the spiritual fact expressed in Mrs. Eddy's words (Science and Health, pp. 517-518): "Man is not made to till the soil. His birthright is dominion, not subjection. He is lord of the belief in earth and heaven,—himself subordinate alone to his Maker." The desire to smoke left me.

After studying this Science for just four years, I am amazed at how wonderful my life has become! My family and I rely on it daily. We have had consistent healings of physical ills and have found good solutions for financial and personality problems.

A few years ago, a dentist showed me X rays of my teeth and told me that extensive drilling was needed, four teeth must be extracted, one within two days. I couldn't reconcile myself to accept this diagnosis. It was too far removed from my growing recognition of man created in God's image and likeness. A Christian Science practitioner agreed to work with me to help me gain a better understanding of God revealed in the seven synonyms Mrs. Eddy gives us (ibid., p. 465): "God is incorporeal, divine, supreme, infinite Mind, Spirit, Soul, Principle, Life, Truth, Love." For two days I had a painful toothache and seemed unable to effectively use these spiritual truths. (I was also plagued by nightmares of losing all my teeth.) As I prayed with a deep desire to know God, I suddenly realized that the material concept of body and of teeth was not my primary concern. God is Love, and I will always be cared for! So I stopped thinking about the material problem and prayed to eliminate the ungodlike thoughts connected with it. Did I feel afraid? I would acknowledge that God is the only power. Did I feel upset or angry? I would know that in God's perfectly ordered, spiritual creation there was nothing to be upset or angry about.

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My gratitude for Christian Science is deep