There was a time when I greatly feared for my life because of...

Leslie E. Vasquez

There was a time when I greatly feared for my life because of heart trouble. I believed myself a victim of this problem and suffered from this false conviction.

A Christian Science practitioner, through prayer, helped me exchange a material concept of myself for a spiritual one. This change seemed impossible because the physical disorder was so overwhelming. After many months without any change, I was asked to read an article in The Christian Science Journal on nullifying animal magnetism. I suddenly realized that the basis of the problem was not in a material organ called a human heart. The basic error was that I had allowed myself to become mesmerized by the notion that life is in matter. For healing to take place, then, I didn't need to wait around till my heart got well again. I needed instead to awaken from animal magnetism, the belief that matter holds all life.

After this realization I knew I was on the way to healing. I began to face up to fear and challenge it. I studied Mary Baker Eddy's answer to the question, "Do you believe in change of heart?" (See Miscellaneous Writings, p. 50.) What impressed me was my need to change from self-centeredness to love for God and His beloved idea, man. As I began to live this love for God and man, false character traits of self, such as extreme shyness, sensitivity, and many others began to disappear.

Through reading the series of books entitled We Knew Mary Baker Eddy, I discovered that Mrs. Eddy really knew what heart was. She lived its meaning, for her whole life was the giving of love. I realized, also, that I needed to understand her role as Leader of the Christian Science movement—her faithful following of God's leading—just as we all need to if we are to fully understand God's revelation to her of Christian Science.

I cannot remember the exact moment when I was free of the heart trouble, but I do remember that after I finished reading this series of books, I suddenly realized that the problem was no longer there.

Because of my change of view, it was as if I never had the problem at all. I feel only a sense of well-being. The past suffering has completely vanished.

My love for God and man only grows stronger as I open my heart fully to this divine Science, to live it and to love it.

(Mrs.) Leslie E. Vasquez
Northridge, California

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