After undergoing an operation I was constantly ill, suffering...

Ida Anlauf

After undergoing an operation I was constantly ill, suffering most of all from shortness of breath. We had tried everything that would give me a little relief, but nothing helped permanently.

Naturally my relatives felt very anxious about me, and my daughter brought me two copies of Der Herold der Christian Science from Dresden. She was firmly convinced that she was thus bringing me the means of restoring my health. I read the Herolds, and thought some of the things I read very wonderful; but I did not have much hope for myself. However, my daughter persuaded me to try Christian Science. We had no idea to whom we could turn for help, for we knew of no one who understood anything about this teaching; but we were again led by divine Love. A neighbor to whom I had spoken about this teaching told me that her sister-in-law had had treatment by a lady for a leg complaint, that she had been greatly benefited thereby, and that this was no doubt what we were looking for. And so it was.

It was not easy for me to go to the practitioner the first time, for I was filled with fear; but she lovingly explained to me that divine Love alone is our physician and helper, and that Christian Science is a religion which heals not only the sick but also the sinning. I went home happy and greatly relieved. I began to attend the Sunday services and Wednesday evening testimony meetings, and to read daily in the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy. Through the loving work of the practitioner the healing took place in a short time, to the joy and astonishment of all my relatives and friends. I was so filled with gratitude to God and the loving practitioner that I should have liked to convince everyone around me of this wonderful teaching. But about nine months later I suffered a relapse, no doubt because I had not been watchful enough, and because my understanding increased but slowly. I was to learn to understand what Mrs. Eddy says on page 496 of the textbook: "We all must learn that Life is God. Ask yourself: Am I living the life that approaches the supreme good?" No doubt I was not, for I was very irritable; and a Christian Scientist should be humble, loving, and good. I tried to realize the ever-presence of God, good, for myself, but could not get rid of fear. I asked the practitioner again for help, and the healing took place slowly, but surely. I am now completely free and can do all my work.

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