Our family has learned that "trials are proofs of God's care" (Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy, p. 66). Many difficult experiences have awakened us more fully to God's love and care for His children. When my husband suffered a nervous disorder that required premature retirement, the situation forced us to learn total reliance upon God. It pulled down every material stronghold, or faith in material means to sustain us. It was necessary to work out a new source of supply and to cope with recurring illnesses.

Once when the children and I were working diligently in Christian Science to help my husband, our son glimpsed the unreality of his father's illness so completely that our fears were calmed and the most difficult phase of the disease disappeared never to return. We grew to understand that "each successive stage of experience unfolds new views of divine goodness and love" (ibid., p. 66).

The education of our children was uninterrupted, and even college worked out in a most satisfactory way in spite of financial difficulties during this time. In the words of one of our hymns (Christian Science Hymnal, No. 46): "Day by day the manna fell." Our needs were met, and our trust in God was strengthened as we learned the meaning of radical reliance on Christian Science.

At one time a sizable real estate commission was withheld. The sum had been mentally pigeonholed as one child's matriculation fee and expense money for college. Because another real estate agent had made a false claim on my commission, the case had to be taken before the real estate board. Through the help of a Christian Science practitioner discouragement over the tedious weeks of preparation was replaced with sustaining thoughts. It came to me that the truth was already established and that the false claim would fall by its own weight. The decision of the board gave me my full commission.

Another healing, which occurred in the earliest stages of our reliance on Christian Science, was our son's healing of asthma. At the time of this healing my husband felt impelled to call a doctor who had formerly cared for the children. The physician said very frankly that he could come over but that there was really nothing he could do for the child. My husband promptly thanked him for the offer to come, but told him that it would not be necessary. Inasmuch as my husband was out of town much of the time, he was unaware of my growing reliance upon Christian Science. In explaining this to him I asked that he take our small daughter and retire. This left me free to go to the boy's room to work the best way I knew in Christian Science.

I became so absorbed in prayerful contemplation of the Bible Lesson that I never knew when the child became comfortable and quiet. As I read the last Bible selection, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matt. 11:28), the healing was complete; and this marked the last time a doctor was called for our children.

The supreme test of my reliance on Christian Science came when our astronaut son was killed in a training flight. From the very first moment when I heard the news flash, I was completely sustained by God. The healing Christ met every phase of grief that was presented by the world. I was grateful for the messages of love from The Mother Church and Christian Scientists around the world. The knowledge that Life is eternal has made me joyously aware of this son's continuing life and work.

As I look back on the experience, it seems almost miraculous that one could be so quickly healed of grief. Later, when my husband passed on, this same sustaining truth was available to support me in exactly the same manner. Surely these experiences have fulfilled Mrs. Eddy's glorious promises in her poem "Love" (Poems, p. 7):

(Mrs.) Mamie Drummond See
Dallas, Texas