This is the way my mother found Christian Science

Betty Hawk Hartwell

This is the way my mother found Christian Science. She had two sons about whom she was very fearful because they were constantly ill. In addition, she herself was suffering from a painful internal difficulty. One evening my deeply concerned father came home with a little book in his hand. He explained that one of his business associates had offered it to him with the comment that perhaps it would help his wife.

As Mother opened the copy of Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy, her eyes fell on the first sentence of the Preface, which reads (p. vii), "To those leaning on the sustaining infinite, to-day is big with blessings." She continued reading, doing very little else until she had finished the book. At that point she said to my father, "If this is the truth, it is all that I will ever need."

The internal physical trouble was healed very quickly, and Mother became less fearful about the health of her children. Soon, with her wonderful faith and perseverance, she became a devoted student of Science and was able to heal her sons when the need arose. She lived a very long life, which included almost thirty years in the public practice of Christian Science.

Five years ago, while I was vacationing, my eyes became inflamed. In addition to the alarming appearance, there were other symptoms. It seemed at one point that I would have to ask a member of my family to come and drive me home. Since I couldn't see clearly enough to read, I listened carefully to cassette tapes of Science and Health produced by The Mother Church. The prayerful help of a Christian Science practitioner and my acceptance of the spiritual truth of my being brought about my freedom. My eyes were healed and I could again see perfectly.

On another occasion I walked out of a beauty salon in a large city one day and suddenly realized that I had left my earrings on the counter when I paid my bill. Immediately I retraced my steps, only to be told that there had been no earrings found. Before leaving, I glanced at a young woman who worked for the salon and felt that the earrings were in her pocket.

I prayed about this during the week, acknowledging the integrity of man made in the likeness of God. At the end of the week I returned to the salon, only to be given the same story that no earrings had been found. I continued to pray about the situation whenever it came to thought. I reasoned that no one can benefit from stealing. (In reality, God's man has, by reflection, all good.)

Two weeks after the incident I walked back into the shop and was handed my earrings. There was no explanation, and I didn't ask for one. I was deeply grateful for this proof of demonstrable good. It came through holding to the truth until the healing was evident.

My life has always been filled with blessings because of Christian Science. I am so grateful.

Betty Hawk Hartwell
Greenwich, Connecticut

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