Christian Science has brought me a clearer understanding of the...

Betty Jo Newkirk

Christian Science has brought me a clearer understanding of the presence of God. This religion came into my life in a meaningful way when our three children were very young. It has enriched our lives and given each one a sense of direction and purpose.

Healings in our family have included those of ringworm, a broken leg, kidney stones, what appeared to be a cyst, an unsightly external growth on the neck, and frequently occurring headaches. Our children experienced only one so-called communicable disease after I became a student of Christian Science, and that one proved to be of shorter duration than is generally expected. It should also be added that Christian Science has been an invaluable help to our family in making business decisions and in showing us how to rely more on God and less on human opinion.

I believe the point of greatest spiritual growth has come to me since the time that my husband, son, and I founded a business corporation about five years ago. Our motives for doing so, we felt, were good. We were quick to give all credit to God for any accomplishment, but I felt a strong sense of personal responsibility whenever things did not go well. While my husband and son did not give in to despair, the trials and the challenge simply to keep the company in existence during what seemed to be a sluggish business economy were almost overwhelming to me at one point. At that particular time I could not see how it was humanly possible for the business to continue. The physical effect on me was such that I felt it necessary to leave the office and go home to lie down. I felt it was impossible even to continue living, and for the first time ever, I momentarily didn't care.

All of my previous awareness of closeness to God could not leave me comfortless at that moment. Immediately the lines from the twenty-third Psalm came to thought (verse 4): "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me." The understanding Christian Science had brought me that God is Love helped me glimpse that there could never be a separation between me and Love's presence—Life's presence. It was like awakening to a glorious spring morning suddenly to see and know that I could be in no situation or condition where it was possible to be without God—Love loving and protecting me, Mind directing and guiding me, Principle sustaining me, and Spirit supporting me. God's angel thoughts lifted me right out of that bed, for I saw that I could not accept in consciousness the death of any idea, not even the death of a company! From that time on I have not had a fear for the company's survival. In a very short time ideas came to us for providing financial means to enable us to continue, and the company also took a new, more important direction.

I am grateful to God for all of the blessings mentioned, for the privilege of membership in The Mother Church and a branch church, and for class instruction in Christian Science.

(Mrs.) Betty Jo Newkirk
Lynnfield, Massachusetts

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Testimony of Healing

It is with joy and love for God, Christ Jesus, and Mrs. Eddy...

February 17, 1973

Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit