Article September 5, 2005 Issue

Next in our biweekly series on how people have nurtured their public practice of Christian Science.

ANYONE CAN BE A HEALER

ENCOURAGED TO SERVE

ALICE WALLACE—San Juan, Puerto Rico

i haven't always been a Christian Science practitioner by profession. Early in my career, I worked as a buyer for a large chain of specialty stores in the United States. Later, I married, and when my husband started a new business, I stopped working and became a housewife. I was home much of the time and always available for lunches and social invitations. But I was also very active in my local branch Church of Christ, Scientist. Being of service to our church was very important to me and my husband. However, I was beginning to feel I wasn't doing enough that was useful and productive.

Some time later, I made an appointment with my teacher of Christian Science to talk about the full-time practice of Christian Science healing. I was so encouraged by what she said that I decided to take immediate steps to begin my own practice. Driving home from that appointment, I thought of a building with an office in it that I felt I could use for this purpose, and I rented that office the next day. My motive in taking this step was to devote myself to serving God, whether this would be through studying the teachings of Christian Science more consistently, writing testimonies or articles for the Christian Science magazines, or being available, on a regular basis, should someone call me for help through prayer. I was aware, also, that this regular work would help me turn away from just spinning the wheels of mortal existence, which I'd been doing for many years. An active healing practice came gradually, and has continued to be a joy.

After living in Washington, DC, for many years, my husband and I moved to Puerto Rico. There was a lovely Church of Christ, Scientist, in San Juan, without a practitioner among its membership. Although I did not speak Spanish, I was able to support the healing work there, since many Puerto Ricans are bilingual.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

'A FIRE THAT NEVER GOES OUT'