Thirty years ago I was pregnant and very ill

Therezinha Cézar Sawaya

Thirty years ago I was pregnant and very ill. I already had four children, but I couldn't care for them. I remained bedridden, unable to move about, with pain throughout my body. The doctor diagnosed the problem as polyneuritis, accompanied by severe anemia. He said that, because of my physical condition and my age, an abortion would be advisable, as permitted by law in those cases. I refused to follow his advice, since I had much hope in God.

Childbirth proceeds harmoniously despite medical predictions to the contrary.

I was already acquainted with the book Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, and I read it quite regularly, although I didn't attend any Church of Christ, Scientist. The book was given to me by one of my sisters, since our brother had been able to resolve a business problem with the help of what they read in the book and treatment from a Christian Science practitioner. I remembered that when that sister talked to me about the book on the telephone, I heard, as if it were a voice, saying, "Here is what you have always been searching for."

The doctor noted that on some days I was better disposed and felt better, and he asked me if I was accustomed to reading some special book. I showed him Science and Health. He paged through it a little and then encouraged me to stay with the book and continue reading it.

From then on I got a Christian Science practitioner to treat me, and I gave up all other remedies. There were days when I couldn't read anything and the practitioner came to my house to read Science and Health to me. After a little while I began understanding that divine Mind manifests itself in each one of us and that the child wasn't a product of my will. I acquired a more spiritual concept of life. Within me was silently growing an understanding of the idea that "... all being is eternal, spiritual, perfect, harmonious in every action" (Science and Health, p. 407). I was getting better day by day.

The birth was normal and harmonious. A lovely girl was born, healthy and rosy. Contrary to all the predictions of anemia and age, I also had the joy of nursing this little daughter for a year. She continues hale and hearty to this day.

After that, all five children were given Christian Science treatment whenever there was a need. When some physical problem appeared with one of the children, my husband, who isn't Christian Scientist, would say, "If by the time I return home from work the problem isn't resolved, I will take the child to the doctor." That was never necessary, however. One of the children was healed of tonsillitis; another was healed of a problem with his growth, to cite only two examples.

I thank God, who placed me on the path of Christian Science and inspired Mrs. Eddy to write Science and Health.

Therezinha Cézar Sawaya
São Paulo, SP, Brazil

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