This testimony is given with the hope that it may encourage someone who is feeling as akeptical about Christian Science as I used to feel, to investigate this Science and find that all things can be changed "in the twinkling of an eye" (I Corinthians).

I had been in and out of the hospital several times for a condition five specialists could not diagnose. I was unable to eat or care for my family at times. Christian Science had been suggested to me by my husband on two different occasions, but I would have no part of it. My father was a doctor, and I felt I would be dishonoring him if I took an interest in Christian Science.

This illness recurred a number of times for about three years. The last time it occurred I again took to my bed. That night my husband brought home a copy of the Sentinel and asked me to please read it. I was reluctant to do so, but the next morning I read it from cover to cover. I could scarcely believe what I was reading. What inspired me the most was the fact brought out in the articles and testimonies that God was actually aware of me, that He loved me and cared for me. It was hard to believe, but at the same time I felt completely free from the discomfort I had known for so long, and I knew I was healed.

I called my husband at his office and told him what had happened. He was so happy and grateful. He asked me to look up a Christian Science practitioner in the telephone book and make an appointment to see her. Going to see the practitioner was one of the most difficult things I had ever done because I had no idea what I was getting into, but I went. I don't remember now what she said, but I do remember the love she expressed. All I could think of was that I was well again and so happy. My whole life had been changed, and I knew it.

The next Sunday our two children were enrolled in the Christian Science Sunday School, and my husband and I attended the church service together. That was the beginning of our commitment to Christian Science, and it has lasted for over fifty years.

The problem has never returned, and I am grateful that since this first healing I have enjoyed unusually good health. There have been healings in our family of grief, relationship difficulties, poison ivy, and earaches. One time our seven-year-old daughter was sent home from school with measles. We prayed together, and she talked with a practitioner. The next morning all signs of measles were gone and she was accepted back in school.

A more recent healing, although not a physical one, was of great importance to me. Several years after my husband's passing I decided to sell my house and move across the country to be near my daughter. I quickly found a beautiful apartment near her that more than met my needs, and I rented it at once. But it seemed as though there were many concerns related to the sale of my house and the move that were more than I could contemplate. I felt alone and burdened by responsibility. Then all of a sudden I realized that feeling this way was not helping!

With that in mind, I prayed to see more clearly that as man is in truth God's reflection, I could never be outside of His care; as His reflection I had that mind "which was also in Christ Jesus," as we read in Philippians. Therefore, everything I needed to know was always available to me. I knew that God is always providing for man's perfect well-being. Once I was armed with these spiritual truths, all the negative, fearful thoughts disappeared. I felt God's "arms around me" love and knew I could never be in a situation where God was not in complete control. From then on everything fell into place so harmoniously!

I got in touch with a realtor, and the house was sold in eleven days at the asking price. Much of the furniture was purchased by the new owner, and what I didn't wish to take with me was sold without advertising. Mary Baker Eddy states in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, "Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need." My need at that time was so beautifully and easily met that I was filled with humility and overwhelming gratitude to God. Leaving the area where I had lived so long and being separated from my friends was indeed a new experience, but I found that God's goodness and love came right along with me. As Mrs. Eddy says in Science and Health, "Each successive stage of experience unfolds new views of divine goodness and love."

A couple of weeks before I was to leave for my new location, I received a phone call from someone inquiring if my car was for sale. He had seen it in the driveway and knew that my house was sold and I was leaving the state. Up to that time I had scarcely given my car a thought. It seemed right that I should dispose of it, and that evening the man who'd called came to the house and a satisfactory sale was completed. He was kind enough not to take delivery until I was ready to leave. This surely proved God's promise recorded in Isaiah: "Before they call, I will answer."

Viola M. Drew
Mesa, Arizona