When I began my study of Christian Science, I knew it would be invaluable but had no real idea of the importance it would have in my life. Since learning of this Science through a friend when I was middle–aged, I have been healed of incapacitating headaches, a chronic eye infection, marital problems, grief, overeating and fear of being overweight, and many other conditions. These healings have been remarkable, but beyond that, my growth in the understanding of God and His laws of Truth has helped me appreciate the many blessings in my life.

I would like to elaborate on a healing that took place after I fell on a tennis court. While going for a shot, I accidentally stepped on the ball and fell, twisting my ankle and hitting my head on the court. My first thought was, "I'm all right. God is with me, and I cannot fall from His care." My husband and the couple we were playing with were concerned when they saw that my head was bleeding. I assured them that I would be fine. They helped me up to a nearby bench. The bleeding stopped, but they urged me to go to a medical clinic. I expressed my appreciation for their loving attention, but I was anxious to get home to do what I felt and knew would really help me: quiet prayer to God, and study of the Bible and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy.

As the day went on, the bump on my head was of little concern, and the wound healed quickly. However, there was much pain and swelling in my ankle. As I prayed, I had to fight the fear that I wouldn't be able to do what needed to be done in the days to come. My thought lifted when I read these statements I found in the Bible and Science and Health: "There is no fear in love; but perfect lovecasteth out fear" (I John 4:18); and "Hold perpetually this thought,—that it is the spiritual idea, the Holy Ghost and Christ, which enables you to demonstrate, with scientific certainty, the rule of healing, based upon its divine Principle, Love, underlying, overlying, and encompassing all true being" (p. 496). Trusting the truths I found in the Bible and Science and Health about God and my relationship to Him, I was able to carry on with my duties as I continued to pray earnestly. The pain in my ankle was intense for a day or so, but then, as I prayed to know that God is Love, it gradually receded, and in about two weeks I was back on the tennis court. The ankle healed completely, and I have had no pain since. This happened about four years ago. I give thanks! Life is good, and I know that what I continue to learn about God in Christian Science has brought me through this challenge.

I believe that by starting my day with prayer and reading the Christian Science Bible Lesson, I have been able to prevent illness. But also when confronted with difficulties such as the fall on the tennis court, I have found its curative effects.

After my grown son passed on, I read a testimony in the Sentinel by a woman in Michigan, where we spend summers, and I decided to contact her. She gave me many helpful readings from the Bible and Science and Health that helped ease the pain I was feeling, and what a wonderful friend she has become.

The first chapter of Science and Health, titled "Prayer," begins, "The prayer that reforms the sinner and heals the sick is an absolute faith that all things are possible to God,—a spiritual understanding of Him, an unselfed love" (p. 1). When I was first given Science and Health, those words inspired me to read on, and I now understand more about how to communicate with God. I am in my mid–70's, and I can look back on my life and feel unimaginable gratitude for Christian Science. The following thoughts, which explain my feelings, were found in an article first published in the Sentinel. The author said, "By putting God first, I am finding myself and much more. My love for everyone has deepened, and I feel myself embraced in the process of bringing love, finding love, and moving in divine Love" ("That extra bonus," July 25, 2005, p. 22).

I thank God for the strength, good health, happiness, and guidance I receive each day from my study of Christian Science.

ELEANOR CARTWRIGHT
BONITA SPRINGS, FLORIDA