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Breaking the lottery habit
When the California lottery began in 1986, I started buying lottery tickets every week, hoping for a big win. For the next 25 years, I never missed a week of playing the lotto.
Then, in 2011, I met a woman who gave me a book called Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy. I had never heard of Christian Science before, but as I read the book, I found that its message was everything I had always believed. I started going to church twice a week with my new friend, and a year later she became my wife.
I was still playing the lottery, even buying lottery tickets in advance. When I took a trip to Alaska, I knew I couldn’t buy tickets where I was heading, so I purchased two weeks’ worth of tickets beforehand. But after reading Science and Health, I kept having the thought that God is my supply, and I should rely on Him. Later I realized that was an angel message. Mrs. Eddy defines angels as, “God’s thoughts passing to man; spiritual intuitions, pure and perfect; the inspiration of goodness, purity, and immortality, counteracting all evil, sensuality, and mortality” (Science and Health, p. 581 ).
Since studying Christian Science, I was learning that I didn’t need to be fearful of the future. I saw that since God is wholly good, and His creation reflects that good, my future has to be wonderful! I was gaining confidence that God loves me and wants only the best for me, and as long as I put God first, I will see that all of my needs are met.
In March 2012, I was on my way to buy my usual lotto tickets when it hit me: Why am I doing this? If I was going to be a Christian Scientist, how could I not rely on God to be my supply? With that thought in mind, I drove right past the store where I usually bought my tickets. As silly as it may sound, it was one of the hardest things I have had to do. But I have not bought any lotto tickets since that time. I feel like a ton of bricks has been lifted off my shoulders. I am so happy to be free of this habit. I am joyfully looking forward to seeing what God has planned for me next.
—Tracy V. Black, Shadow Hills, California, US