The greatest gift my mother gave me was Christian Science Through her example, and through healings, I've learned that I can always trust God to solve every problem and to protect me. I have learned that "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble" (Ps. 46:1).

When I applied for an insurance policy recently, a woman called me to ask questions regarding my medical history. Most of the questions began with "Have you ever had medical treatment for ...," followed by all sorts of physical ailments. My response to all these questions was "No." When she asked me how many times in my life I'd been to a doctor, I felt the need to explain to her that I am a Christian Scientist. She sounded genuinely happy to hear this, and said that was great.

This caused me to think back on all the times when I suppose I might have sought out a doctor, had I not found healing in Christian Science instead. I have had healings of, among other things, mumps, a yeast infection, what I think would have been diagnosed as bronchitis and sinusitis, and of challenges in relationships and employment.

Once when I was serving as Second Reader in church, I lost my voice during the Responsive Reading. I turned my thought to God, and immediately felt surrounded by love and support, especially from the congregation. When it was time for me to begin reading from the Bible, my voice returned instantly, and remained strong.

Last summer, during labor with our second child, I was taken to a hospital operating room (OR) for a possible Caesarean section, because the baby had the umbilical cord stretched around his neck and appeared to be in distress. I asked my mom to call a Christian Science practitioner, and she left to make the call. With cheerful confidence the practitioner told Mom, "Life [God] loves that baby!"

Things were happening very fast, and seemed to be out of my hands. But the practitioner was praying for us. Strangely, I had no sense of panic; I knew God was with me, and even if things seemed to be out of my control, nothing could ever be out of God's control. I knew that all of His ideas, including the baby, move at His direction and in harmony with all creation. When we reached the operating room the baby's heart rate became normal.

The operating room seemed full of love, and I could feel love being expressed by the medical staff and my husband. Everyone was in support of my having a natural delivery. And I did. One of the nurses was actually crying. She told me that this was very rare. When I asked her what she meant, she said that hardly anyone came out of the OR with a natural delivery. The baby was happy and healthy.

This experience made me stronger in my understanding of, and trust in, God. Like David in the Bible, who trusted in spiritual weapons to fight Goliath, I've learned to turn to the laws of God to fight the challenges that confront me.

As my husband, who is not a Christian Scientist, once said to me, "You know, in other religions if you pray and get healed it's considered a miracle. With Christian Science, it's an everyday happening!"

Karen Terrel
Sedro-Woolley, Washington

I would like to verify my wife's testimony. When the baby's heart rate fell and would not increase after the repositioning of my wife, doctors decided to rush her to the OR. As Karen was wheeled down the corridor she asked her mother to make the call, and by the time I had my scrubs on to be with Karen, the baby's heart rate had already returned to an acceptable level. Karen had dilated and was ready to give birth. There were even cheers and yells by the operating room staff.

I have seen other healings in our family, and am grateful for Christian Science.

R. Scott Terrell