I will always be grateful that I was raised in Christian Science...

Ellen Mary P. Voss

I will always be grateful that I was raised in Christian Science. Attending Sunday School was very beneficial, but it was not until the summer before I was to enter college that I realized the need to do my part in practicing this Science for myself.

One evening Mother came into my room to find me lying in bed unable to move. Her peaceful presence and love did much to keep me calm. She reminded me of Christ Jesus' statement that "with God all things are possible" (Matthew). And we knew that God is always with us.

We talked about having the help of a Christian Science practitioner, and one was called to pray for me. I had learned the importance of turning to God in prayer for answers, and I knew that the practitioner would turn to God in prayer. I also knew that this individual would be seeing me in my real, spiritual selfhood as God's perfect child—whole, complete, upright, and free—right then and there. I was confident that I would be healed and felt much love surrounding me.

The calls to and from the practitioner conveyed the reassuring message that God's child, the spiritual child of His creating, is inseparable from Him and His infinite goodness. Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy states, "Science can heal the sick, who are absent from their healers, as well as those present, since space is no obstacle to Mind." I knew Mind to be God, an inexhaustible source of right ideas, ideas available to both the practitioner and me.

About two weeks passed. I was tired of being in bed, unable to do things for myself. Mother always came cheerfully when I called, but suddenly I felt guilty. I asked myself, "What is holding you back?" The answer came as quickly as the question: "Why, nothing is keeping you there. No person is holding you down. And, as anyone can see, you certainly are not tied to the bed."

All at once, I felt totally relaxed and enveloped in God's love. God had always been there. I recognized God was not a person but ever-present Principle. I could rely on Him. He would support me. I must trust God entirely. Before I knew it, I was out of bed and walking. Each step was a joy. That same day I was able to go downstairs.

In the middle of the night, however, I had a further challenge. For a brief time it appeared that I might pass on. I saw quite clearly that I had to make a choice. My decision was to choose life and meet the challenges, whatever they might be, knowing that God was ever with me. The next day it was evident that I had been entirely healed.

My heart is full of gratitude for the faithful work of Christian Science practitioners and for the daily encouragement and love of my mother during this time of tremendous spiritual growth. What I gained from this time of tremendous spiritual growth. What I gained from this experience helped me put my trust in God when I was faced with other difficulties later on.

Many proofs of God's care have been mine in the intervening years, and I continue to be deeply grateful.

Ellen Mary P. Voss
Orlando, Florida

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