A few weeks ago my husband and I spontaneously expressed thanks to each other for the precious family experiences that have given evidence of the practicality of Christian Science in our lives. Because of it, we have enjoyed many years of health and happiness. I give this testimony as one family's evidence of God's healing power.

Illness was rare among our children and quickly healed. Mischievous behavior was not a problem because from the time they were tots their intelligent acceptance of and obedience to God was natural. When the children were of school age, I read a section of the weekly Bible Lesson from the Christian Science Quarterly to them each morning before they left for school. This familiarized them with the language of the Bible and Science and Health and made departures for school remarkably calm. When they were older, they read this Lesson for themselves at a time of their own choosing.

Our son, when he was only four or five years old, made his own decision regarding attending Wednesday evening meetings. Since his older sisters attended with me, he felt left out. He handled this by going directly to his room after supper and putting on his Sunday suit. He was going too!

The practicality of Christian Science has been demonstrated to us in ways too numerous to mention. Three healings, however, were so quick as to be startling, and I'd like to share them with you.

The first one concerns my son when he was a tot playing in the sandbox. His friend threw sand in his face, and when he came screaming to me, I could see that his eyeballs were peppered with sand. I had just finished a period of very inspiring study, and my thought was so uplifted that I couldn't even consider accepting injury. I assured my child that his friend had meant no harm, and that God would remove properly whatever was offensive. (I had in mind Mrs. Eddy's statement in Science and Health:"A spiritual idea has not a single element of error, and this truth removes properly whatever is offensive" [p. 463].) I then washed his face and he went back to his play. There was no further evidence of sand or of any effect from it.

A second instance was a severe case of strep throat which had resisted my prayers for three days and then yielded in an instant when I refused to entertain the belief of limitation any longer. One moment I couldn't speak or swallow, the next I was calling out cheerily to my neighbor in a normal voice. This healing has remained permanent over many years.

The third healing was quite recent. On a holiday weekend, when my husband was unable to find an available dentist to help him, he suffered from a toothache for three days. He did not ask me to help but quietly endured the pain. When I offered to treat the case if he wanted my help, however, he quickly agreed.

We sat down together, and I gave him something to read while I silently prayed. The pain did not cease, so I told him that what I was about to read to him was the Word of God addressed directly to him, as though God were speaking to him personally. I told him I wanted him to hear it that way. He listened intently for a moment; then, while I was still reading, he exclaimed, "It's gone." He never did go to a dentist, and it has been many months since the healing.

At one time, employment was found without a loss of even one day from on job to the next, lost articles have been recovered when a proper sense of harmony has been understood, threats of violence and theft have been nullified through holding to God's omnipotence and ever-presence, and sickness has been effectively overcome through our reliance on Christian Science.

Let me assure all who read this testimony that divine Love and Truth are real and active forces in the lives of those who love God and who understandingly trust Him with their welfare.

Audrey H. Walter
Pinehurst, North Carolina