I’ve always sought a deeper spiritual purpose in my life. I grew up attending a church of another denomination, where I liked the hymns and the beautiful stained-glass windows. After graduating from high school, I moved into a yoga community, where I practiced yoga and meditation. After that, I attended a twelve-step program with a spiritual focus. 

One day, I was practicing some yoga at home with incorrect form. I seriously injured my neck, which meant that I couldn’t lift anything heavier than four pounds without a lot of pain. I sought healing through massage, chiropractic treatments, and acupuncture, but nothing seemed to fix the problem. Doctors recommended that I have neck surgery, which I was not interested in. I was filled with despair. 

Years ago, my grandma had suggested I check out a Christian Science Reading Room. She had been receiving the Christian Science Daily Lift, a podcast of inspiring ideas produced by The Christian Science Publishing Society. I hadn’t read the Bible much, nor was I very interested in it, but I was so desperate for healing. I decided that now would be a good time to follow my grandma’s suggestion.

When I visited the Reading Room, I told the volunteer about my situation. The young man told me he’d been healed of a severe mental disorder by reading Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy. He told me Christian Science was based on understanding God and I could find out more about my relation to God by reading Science and Health. He gave me a free copy, and I decided to jump in with both feet. 

I began reading Science and Health for an hour every day. And when I went to a local Church of Christ, Scientist, I saw this quote on the wall and took comfort: “Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need” (Science and Health, p. 494). Once in a while, I called a Christian Science practitioner, a person who prays for people when asked, for Christian Science treatment when I was in pain. 

On one occasion, she suggested I read “the scientific statement of being” (Science and Health, p. 468) and recommended Psalm 91 at another time. I started studying those passages daily. Along the way, I learned to love the Bible as Mary Baker Eddy’s writings gave me a better understanding of that book. 

I also began praying scientifically for myself every day in the way Christian Science teaches, knowing that God is omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient. I affirmed that I was a perfect child of God—spiritual, whole, complete, and joyful. I also affirmed that I reflected God through qualities such as charity, forgiveness, perspicacity, and patience. I started relying on God for all healing. So when I began attending the church, I stopped taking pain medicine. Later, I slowly stopped taking antidepressant medication. And I haven’t found it necessary to take medications since.

Several months later, I felt God’s love nudging me to move closer to where my mom lived in Florida. I had all sorts of arguments why I couldn’t move there, but God’s will was clear to me.

Christian Science had helped me already, but I was still having trouble with my neck. So when I prepared to move, I packed most of my belongings in boxes that weighed four pounds or less. 

After moving to Florida, I was warmly welcomed by the congregation of the branch Church of Christ, Scientist, in the town where my mom lives. I continued to pray and study Christian Science, knowing that I was a perfect reflection of divine Mind.  

One evening, I went to the grocery store for bottled water. I bought two gallons of water. Each gallon weighed more than I thought I could carry without pain, but I was too tired to put them in a grocery cart. As I walked out to the car with the two jugs, I prayed with the first line of “the scientific statement of being,” which says, “There is no life, truth, intelligence, nor substance in matter.” I had no neck pain that night.

The next day, I called the practitioner to rejoice with her. I felt so blessed. I can now lift and carry things without pain, and I know that I can uplift my thought and rely on Christian Science for any other issues. 

Soon after this experience, I decided I wanted to bring healing to others. I took Christian Science Primary class instruction to learn more about this marvelous system of spiritual healing. I have much to learn but I am progressing, and I hope to become a Christian Science practitioner one day. It has also been a blessing to my family and me to be living close to my mom.

Christian Science has given me a deeper relationship with God and a greater ability to see the good in everyone. Lately, my favorite quote from Science and Health is: “The Scripture declares, ‘The Lord He is God [good]; there is none else beside Him.’ Even so, harmony is universal, and discord is unreal” (p. 414). This uplifting thought reminds me that our true reality is divine harmony.

I am very grateful for Mary Baker Eddy, who gave us her insights into Christ Jesus’ teachings. Thank you also to those who contribute to the Christian Science periodicals, my Christian Science teacher, and the Christian Science churches.