Who couldn't use more light, more clarity in a time of questioning? And if we are in the middle of our own search for light, it sometimes helps to hear the experiences of others who are finding "there ariseth light in the darkness," as the Psalmist describes it. This column records some experiences that may be useful to those who are looking for new answers. The accounts are anonymous in order to give authors the opportunity to talk freely about earlier lifestyles and attitudes that may have been considerably different from what they now value. Of necessity, the recounting of experiences is telescoped in its time frame, and these narratives do not attempt to tell a complete story But they do show something of the wide range of seekers and the way in which the light of Christ, Truth, restores, redirects, and regenerates lives.

Some people may seek a deeper understanding of God because of an innate spiritual hunger. Some may be looking for peace of mind in the midst of difficult family or work situations. In my own case, I was looking for release from physical suffering and felt that God was my last resort.

I was a busy mother of three sons, not troubled by anything serious. Then came a skiing accident, and something happened to my neck. It did not trouble me too much at first, but I later suffered from increasingly frequent headaches, and an X-ray revealed damage. After a while I gave up trying to find relief in painkillers because they became increasingly ineffective. The headaches became progressively worse to the point where they seemed to take the joy out of my family life, and I felt that I would rather be dead.

At this time of great need, a friend reminded me of the possibility of Christian healing. She was a Christian Scientist. I was certain God existed, but He had always seemed remote. Now it seemed like the time to test prayer.

My friend took me to a Wednesday evening testimony meeting at the Christian Science church in the Australian city where I lived. I felt as if I had come in from a desert. The gentleness and warmth of the members made a great impact on me. The spiritual truths I heard were so wonderful they were almost too much to bear.

I asked my friend how to find a Christian Science practitioner who would understand how to pray for me effectively. She gave me a copy of The Christian Science Journal, which includes a listing of practitioners. The following day I called one, and we made arrangements for me to visit. The practitioner spoke of God, of my real spiritual nature, and explained that the sense that we have a mortal life—a life apart from God, eternal Life—is a dream. I asked the practitioner to pray for me, and we agreed to meet at the same time the following week.

The next day I woke with the same old pain, and because I had felt that God was my last resort and hadn't healed me, I wept. I felt utterly alone and without help. Then, even as I was weeping, I remember thinking that I had so many things to be grateful for, including a good husband, three fine sons, a pleasant home. I felt that, whatever the future held, God had been good to me, and I could leave things in His hands.

I felt that I should simply get on with living in spite of the pain, and began to sew a dress to wear at my eldest son's twenty-first birthday celebration. Sewing at the machine had been a painful exercise, but I felt compelled not to allow myself to be deterred. When the time came to try on the dress, I realized the pain had gone. I hardly dared to believe it was true. I decided to wait until the next day to tell my husband—just to be sure I was really healed.

The next morning I woke with a wonderful warmth and awareness of the light and love of God such as I had never experienced before. The awe and joy of feeling the presence of divine Love belie description. I felt so beloved, so secure and truly healed by God, that all doubt and fear vanished in the light of spiritual certainty. I got up, picked up my Bible, opened it at random, and my eyes fell on the passage in Revelation "Behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it."

That was eight years ago, and there has been no recurrence of the problem.

I began the study of Christian Science with a burning desire to understand the divine laws of Life and healing. From then on, I relied on prayer for all my health needs. The following year I joined the Christian Science church my friend had taken me to.

There have been many healings since that time. Some have been quick, and some have taken longer. I am so grateful that God leads us to the understanding of Himself. My understanding of the Science of being and my affection for others have grown in proportion to my recognition that we are all beloved, all at one with God, and no views to the contrary can disturb that reality.

The author's husband added the following note: "Though I am not a Christian Scientist, I readily confirm the healing my wife has described. The problem with her neck had become a part of our lives, and she had tried every means she could think of to gain relief, before turning to prayer.

"I initially regarded her search for relief through prayer with some scepticism, but there is no denying the result."

ROMANS

As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.

Romans 8:14–16