The story of the prodigal son is a favorite of mine, as I have...

Name withheld

The story of the prodigal son is a favorite of mine, as I have gone through a similar experience. My first husband unexpectedly passed on at a very early age. After this I seemed to lose my desire and love for Christian Science.

I met and married a very good and honorable man, went to another church with him, and thought I was happy doing this. It took about seven years to learn that my dear Science was, for me, the only rock of stability for true happiness.

The Psalmist says, "Thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee" (Ps. 86:5). Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures tells us, "Who that has felt the loss of human peace has not gained stronger desires for spiritual joy?" And it adds, "The pains of sense are salutary, if they wrench away false pleasurable beliefs and transplant the affections from sense to Soul, where the creations of God are good, 'rejoicing the heart'" (pp. 265–266).

(I was smoking and drinking at the time, which led to other undesirable traits.) Finally, there was a divorce from my second husband. In remembering the healing that followed, which took place about eighteen years ago, I so appreciate the lessons learned. The fact that we cannot fool ourselves or our Father-Mother God was so important to me. I would look into a mirror, and an angel thought would whisper, "You're not being true to yourself."

Gradually I began to get my life in order. I got a job as a fraternity housemother at the university my younger son was attending. There, I became active in the Christian Science organization, met a lovely practitioner who treated me, and started going to church regularly again. Every moment I could find, I would read and study Science and Health.

I was completely freed from the bad habits that had enslaved me.

I was completely freed from the bad habits that had enslaved me. It was then that I realized I wanted to attend the meetings of my Christian Science Students Association. I called my teacher and asked if the prodigal son could return. There was no hesitation; I was welcomed with open arms. The love was so reassuring. It took a while for my membership in The Mother Church to be restored. But my teacher led me through this until I could become a full-fledged member again.

After four years at the university, I realized that I was still in love with the man I had divorced. I called him, and we met and dated for some time. We had many talks, and I told him of my change in thinking. I explained that this change was permanent and if he could accept this and let me live my life as a Christian Scientist, we could remarry. He agreed, and we now go to the Christian Science church together, although he is not a member.

Sometimes we need hard experiences to make us realize the value of our relation to God. Yet, as Mary Baker Eddy says in Science and Health, "Trials are proofs of God's care" (p. 66).

Name withheld

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