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THE TENDER GRACES OF GOD'S LOVE
Although I'd relied on Christian Science for healing most of my life, several years ago I went through a period of deep depression where I briefly abandoned my faith. My marriage of 27 years had fallen apart, and I'd abruptly left a 30-year newspaper career, which had disastrous economic consequences. On top of that, one of my children was having serious health issues. According to some experts, mine was a case of "situational depression." I remember writing goodbye letters to loved ones, with the intention of taking my life.
But in the midst of my profound mental turmoil, a glimmer of the spiritual reliance that had seen me through so many times before resurfaced. Through tears, I cried out in desperation to God for help. The thought came to call a nearby Christian Science Reading Room to ask for the phone number of a local Christian Science practitioner. I called this dear woman immediately, barely able to pour out my list of woes.
I'll never forget the love and prayer I received. The practitioner convinced me that suicide was not the answer to my problems. A passage she shared with me from Unity of Good by Mary Baker Eddy brought out that if we're still believing in the material concept of life with all its anguish and pain as real, we're not ready for immortality, and death will only take us into another phase of that same material concept of existence (pp. 2,3). The acknowledgment that spiritual life alone is the truth of existence was the stand to take that would halt my descent into gloom and despair.
Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.
May 7, 2007 issue
View Issue-
LETTERS
with contributions from WINIFRED BARNARD, BETH YOST, JEANIE SATTERWHITE
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For hearts in need
JENNY ROEMER, STAFF EDITOR
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ITEMS OF INTEREST
with contributions from Mary Jordan
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LIVE— to discover your real worth
BY MARGARET ROGERS
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WHAT I WAS ALWAYS LOOKING FOR IS WHAT I HAVE NOW
PATRICIA ORNETT
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PRAYING OUR WAY out of desperation
BY HELEN CRONIN
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WHEN SOMEONE ASKS FOR HELP
SARAH HYATT
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DON'T COMMIT SUICIDE learn to live joyfully
BY SUSAN RYNERSON
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IMPRESSED, BUT NOT TAUGHT, BY TUT
BY JEREMY CARPER
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DEAR CHILD
BY DAVID ROBERTSON
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EARLY MORNING BREEZE
Joan Hellmund
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STRIVING TO LIVE IN GOD'S CITY
JOY REGES—Reston, Virginia
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THE ULTIMATE LOVE RESERVOIR
JANE GLASSER
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NEVER ABANDONED
ALLISON PHINNEY
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THE TENDER GRACES OF GOD'S LOVE
GREGG MORRIS
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FREED FROM CHRONIC KIDNEY CONDITION
SHELA C. DINIZ
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SEVERE FACIAL BURNS HEALED
KIM C. KORINEK