Freed from alcoholism
One day my dad came rushing in the front door and told my mother about a wonderful talk he had heard on the car radio about a religion called Christian Science: “They talked about ideas I’ve never heard before! They mentioned a book, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures. Why don’t you check it out?” Well, my mother did check it out. She went to a Christian Science Reading Room, purchased a copy of Science and Health by Mary Baker Eddy, and read it from beginning to end. This started her journey in Christian Science, and she took her four children along with her.
Unfortunately, my father passed on not long after that. My mother took us back to her homeland, England. We moved to a city that had a Christian Science church, and she was active in that church for many years. Even though she was a single mom, I never felt any lack of funds or of a father. The concepts I learned in Sunday School helped me understand that my real Father-Mother God was ever with me, and I was quite satisfied. My school years were free of illnesses.
When I finished school, I left home and moved to London. I had a job in the city, but attended church only occasionally. During that time, which I think of as my wilderness experience, I drank socially and smoked cigarettes. This went on for a while, and then I turned to alcohol more and more as a way to cope with stressful situations. The way it crept into my life was very subtle. In time, I became caught up in the awful darkness of alcoholism.
After a few years of this dream state, I began to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, so my thought was stirring. I was waking up and knew I needed help. Then one night I picked up Science and Health. I have no idea what I read, but I must have had a shift in consciousness.
I never drank a drop of alcohol after that night and never had a desire for it, nor did I condemn myself for falling into the trap of alcoholism.
I decided to return to America, and eventually I went to a local Christian Science Reading Room and bought a set of books—Science and Health and the King James Version of the Bible—so I could study the weekly Christian Science Bible Lesson. The Reading Room attendant suggested that I call a local Christian Science practitioner, who enjoyed working with young people. This I did, and she was a great help to me in my fledgling footsteps.
Thus began my spiritual adventure. To study and ponder the Bible Lesson every morning became the norm for me; it was my daily bread. The absolute truths pouring into my thought were slowly being expressed in my daily experience. I went back to school, earned degrees in mathematics and education, and taught high school for more than 20 years.
When I first applied for membership in a Christian Science branch church, I was told I was not ready, and I knew that was true. It took me a few more years before I felt ready, but I attended every Sunday service and Wednesday testimony meeting; I felt the Christ was urging me on. When I was free of the smoking habit, I applied for church membership again and was accepted. What a wonderful day that was for me!
Not long afterward I had Christian Science Primary class instruction, where I learned about the allness and power of God and the absolute nothingness and powerlessness of error. I had not known how to handle false beliefs and temptation in the past, but I learned in class how to mentally deny the cunning wiles of error. The suggestion that evil is attractive is like an invitation we don’t have to accept. It has no actual power to make us do anything contrary to our God-given, spiritual nature.
Whenever the parable of the prodigal son appears in the Bible Lesson, I smile at the part where he “came to himself” (Luke 15:17 ). After living an extravagant life far from home, the rebellious young man found himself penniless, eating the same food the pigs ate. He must have had an epiphany. He went home and would have been happy to be one of his father’s servants. But when his father saw him, he ran to greet him and showered him with love—and even gave him a great feast. I also experienced that moment of deep, humbling realization, and I found the church ready to welcome me with open arms. I was hungry, and Christian Science fed me the great banquet. Being home felt good!
In speaking of the transition from sin to repentance, Mary Baker Eddy says: “The sharp experiences of belief in the supposititious life of matter, as well as our disappointments and ceaseless woes, turn us like tired children to the arms of divine Love. Then we begin to learn Life in divine Science” (p. 322 ).
Confidence in that all-embracing Love has strengthened me over the years and helped me find answers to relationship, housing, work, and health problems. Some healings have come quickly, and others have unfolded after months of consecrated study and the help of Christian Science practitioners. Any time a need has been met through prayer, I look back in wonder, as the results are better than I could ever have envisioned. Upon reflection, I understand that it was all the result of divine Mind’s orderly unfolding.
I like the way J. B. Phillips’s New Testament in Modern English puts it: “Now to him who by his power within us is able to do infinitely more than we ever dare to ask or imagine—to him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever, amen!” (Ephesians 3:20, 21).
To say the least, I am very grateful for Christian Science, and for my dad, who long ago was receptive to Truth.
Maureen O’Neal
Springdale, Arkansas, US
