I want to tell of a wonderful healing I've had. Although I've experienced many healings, this one proved to be a turning point in my understanding of Christian Science.

At one point, my menstrual cycle ceased. But because the condition was not painful, I prayed only occasionally concerning it. Two years passed without change. Then it seemed necessary for another reason to have a physical examination. When the doctor discovered the malfunction, he became very concerned and urged me to have an exploratory operation immediately. He indicated that without such an operation and follow-up medical treatment, there could be serious consequences. For one thing, I might not be able to have children.

Afterward, as I left the doctor's office, my thought turned to God. I'd already decided not to have an operation. I wanted to rely on God completely and I was determined to see the situation as an opportunity to demonstrate the healing power of Christian Science. Right then I silenced fearful thoughts by denying the belief that the so-called laws of medicine or matter had any power over me.

Later, for additional support, I called a Christian Science practitioner, who directed me to study a statement from Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy. Referring to Genesis 2:4, 5, she writes (p. 520): "Here is the emphatic declaration that God creates all through Mind, not through matter,—that the plant grows, not because of seed or soil, but because growth is the eternal mandate of Mind." Pondering this revealed two things: one, that the only real growth that could take place was spiritual growth; and two, that this growth was the command of Mind and, therefore, was constant, uninterrupted, and wholly good.

For many months I had been trying to understand how God's law could operate in human experience to bring about healing. But then gradually, through consecrated study and prayer, working from the standpoint of one Mind, God, I began to understand that God's law does not operate in another, separate realm called the human condition. His law of perfection is eternal, all-inclusive, and already fully established and operative in Mind—the only realm there is. I then identified myself as God's compound, spiritual idea, man—whose life cannot be blocked or impeded in any way. I refused to believe in the counterfeit suggestion presented to me—that man can express inharmony in some form.

Spiritual growth was evidenced as the knowledge and certainty of the ever-presence of God, and the consequent unreality of error, or matter, became clearer. A few months later my menstrual cycle resumed and was normal. I had seen that when God's infinitude is truly recognized, error loses the only foothold in consciousness it ever seemed to have and disappears. This healing has been permanent.

About a year ago, I became pregnant—further evidence of the complete healing. During the pregnancy, several challenges presented themselves and were overcome.

Initially, there was much fear expressed by some of my family. I was told that the women in our family had all had difficult births, many requiring Caesarean sections. In addition, those more medically-minded members were fearful about the health of the child and myself. With the help of a Christian Science practitioner, I persistently reversed such notions through an increased understanding of man's identity as the pure and perfect idea of God; denying the suggestion that suffering need accompany childbirth. I knew that Truth is the only power that can influence man and, therefore, that material heredity is a false belief. I worked particularly with this statement from Science and Health (p. 63): "In Science man is the offspring of Spirit. The beautiful, good, and pure constitute his ancestry."

As the time for the birth drew near, I pondered the concepts of gentleness and expansion and I specifically denied that the truths that had been established in thought could be reversed. Also, a tendency to willfully react to negative comments was replaced by a peaceful, strong conviction founded on the rock of Truth, which nothing can shake.

When the child came, he arrived quickly and harmoniously, without my using medication of any kind. I really felt God's complete control. We now have a fine boy, perfect in every way.

My gratitude is deep for the freedom from bondage to material beliefs that we gain through the application of Christian Science. Throughout my life I've found the results of Christian Science to be unerring, exact, and effectual, whenever I've correctly applied its teachings. I am also continually thankful for our Leader, Mrs. Eddy, and for the Church of Christ, Scientist, she founded. Its services, Bible Lessons (found in the Christian Science Quarterly), lectures, Reading Rooms, periodicals, and the Manual of The Mother Church written by her lovingly lead us to a greater understanding of the laws of God and of their applicability in healing any discordant situation.

JENNIFER HOFFMAN ESSEN
Los Angeles, California