As far back as I can remember I had a problem with reluctance to take on and complete a specific task. I was not always willing to do things that were necessary to attain a specific goal. There were occasions when I would quit in midstream or not even attempt a project if it required me to do something I was not interested in doing.

As an example, from time to time I had been asked by various church committees to read in entirety our textbook, Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy, to help resolve a specific problem or for added spiritual growth, and I had never completed the task. One year our Christian Science Students Association was assigned to read the textbook through, and I remember that again I was too busy. This trait of putting things off was not a strong deterrent to me in other areas, as I had very interesting business and personal careers and was successful in those undertakings.

Over a year ago I was faced with a physical problem that did not seem to yield despite all the prayerful work that I had done. I knew that shortly I would undergo a physical examination as a requirement for work, and I felt that there would be pressure placed on me to submit to medical treatment to correct the problem. As I pondered the situation I thought of all the healings I had had as a student of Christian Science, and of all the testimonies I had heard and read of people being healed by reading our textbook.

I had been studying the Bible and Science and Health since I was sixteen years old, and I'm sure that during my terms as a First Reader in branch Churches of Christ, Scientist, I had covered the material in the textbook many times, even if not consecutively. But suddenly it was as if a light had been turned on and I realized that my reluctance to complete the specific assignment to read the textbook through consecutively needed to be met. I recalled the Bible story of the blind man who was sent by Christ Jesus to wash in the pool of Siloam. The man obeyed and received his sight (see John 9:1—7). And I thought of Naaman who, when he was told by Elisha to wash in the river Jordan, objected. Still, Naaman obeyed and was cleansed of his leprosy (see II Kings 5:1-14).

I then felt that my healing would come as I read the textbook, from "stem to stern," and I wasted no time in getting started. I spent most of the next four days reading and studying the textbook, and I finished the morning I was to go for the medical exam. By that time I knew I had been healed, although the physical sensation of the difficulty was still with me.

Later that day after the examination, the doctor said that I was in perfect condition. I must add that the part of my body that had been giving me so much discomfort had been thoroughly examined. How overjoyed I was for this healing. (Within twenty-four hours of the exam all sensation of the physical trouble left me.) And how at peace I felt with myself to think that after fifty years of "doing my own thing" I had finally overcome the undesirable trait of reluctance to take on specific tasks.

I am very grateful for Christian Science, for the fine healing work being done through the study and practice of this religion, and for the inspiring examples we read about in both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible.

CHARLES SCHUCK Vienna, Virginia