Testimony of Healing April 19, 1982 Issue

My father first brought Christian Science to our home when I...

ALICE CAWTHRA

My father first brought Christian Science to our home when I was sixteen. I took it up seriously because I was then suffering from bronchitis. (I had been taken to several doctors but had found no relief.) During a period of deep study and prayer I began making progress, and the healing took place. After my marriage in 1930 I joined a branch Church of Christ, Scientist, and later joined The Mother Church. Over the years since then I have had many healings.

One healing occurred about three years ago. I was suffering from a painful condition of the throat, which had caused me many sleepless nights. I was First Reader in the branch church I belonged to at the time, and this position called for a clear, strong voice. Despite the throat condition, I never had any trouble speaking the times I had to read, for which I was very grateful. Yet many mortal suggestions came to me, one of which was: "Your father suffered like this and passed on as a result." This awakened me to the belief that I was being influenced by heredity. At once I refuted this by praying for my father, knowing that he was and always had been the idea of God, Spirit, not matter—and that he was free now, as in reality he had always been.

This particular night I was experiencing a lot of pain and distress, so I reached out to God. The words of our dear Leader, Mrs. Eddy, in Science and Health came to me (p. 14): "Entirely separate from the belief and dream of material living, is the Life divine, revealing spiritual understanding and the consciousness of man's dominion over the whole earth. This understanding casts out error and heals the sick, and with it you can speak 'as one having authority.'" Soon after, I felt a deep peace and a most wonderful sense of safety and love. I said the Lord's Prayer with confidence as never before and thanked God for His care and love for me and for all. I went to sleep, and that was the last of the problem. From this healing a great peace came to me and stayed many days.

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