I want to start out by expressing my great gratitude for Mary Baker Eddy and her devotion to awakening mankind to the ever-present availability of God’s goodness and love for His all-good creation. Before Mrs. Eddy’s discovery of Christian Science, this truth was demonstrated systematically only by Christ Jesus. Words are inadequate to state the immeasurable impact she has had for the good of mankind. Speaking of the understanding of Christian Science, she wrote, “This awakening is the forever coming of Christ, the advanced appearing of Truth, which casts out error and heals the sick” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 230).

I also want to express profound gratitude for all the Christian Science periodicals and the testimonies contained therein. I feel that the testimonies help speed our progress in a way similar to having a tail wind when riding a bicycle. Seeing the success that others have had in applying Christian Science when dealing with challenges in their lives can give us confidence in our own practice and help us onward.

In my college years, I was a trumpet student at a large university with a wonderful music program. I was preparing for a junior recital hearing that I was required to pass before I could go ahead and perform my junior recital. Shortly before this hearing, I was suddenly afflicted with a pulled abdominal muscle, evidenced as a painful lump on one side of my abdomen. I had no idea what had caused it, but the discomfort made it difficult to take the large breaths necessary to play the trumpet. I even had trouble walking without leaning on something or someone. As things worsened, I felt comfortable only when I was lying down.