Testimony of Healing October 21, 1972 Issue

As a young married woman, I found myself yearning for a better...

Virginia C. Gould

As a young married woman, I found myself yearning for a better understanding of God and of what this life is all about. I was not satisfied with the concept of God held by the religious denominations with which I had come in contact, but had nothing better to put in its place. Shortly after this, Christian Science was presented to me by a dear friend. She and her husband were such a joyous couple that it was always a pleasure to be with them, and one felt that they had something very special. However, strangely enough, when she gave me the textbook, Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy, to read, I was not ready for its message. I shall always be grateful that she did not give me up but quietly waited until my thought was ready.

My husband and I had been hoping, unsuccessfully, to have children, and after several years, during which we had voiced our desire and frustration to her, this dear friend again offered Christian Science, commenting that she was sure the need could be met. I started to read the textbook again, and this time could hardly lay it down. Only those who have had a similar experience can fully understand the joy and uplift that were mine—the great satisfaction of realizing that this was what I had been searching for and what, deep within me, I had always believed. And so began a whole new way of life, and I knew that even if my original purpose in taking up the study of Christian Science was not fulfilled, I could never think any other way again.

In time, and with the prayerful help of a Christian Science practitioner, I reached the point where I realized that the underlying false belief about the situation was that I could not enjoy the satisfaction of being a mother. Turning earnestly and prayerfully to God to know His will, I heard the command as clearly as if it were a human voice speaking: "Turn to the first chapter of Luke's Gospel." I did so, and these passages in the story of Elisabeth stood out to me (verses 36 and 37): "And this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible."

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Testimony of Healing

It has been my blessed privilege to grow up in a home where...