One morning I woke to find that I was seeing two of everything. Since I wear eyeglasses, I went to see an optometrist. He informed me that my eyes had become crossed, and urged me to have a physical checkup to determine the cause. Recalling the many healings I'd had in Christian Science over the past fifty years—healings of apparent appendicitis, chronic colds, abscessed ears, a painful back injury, a skin disease, to name a few—I knew that Christian Science would heal me now. A Christian Science practitioner agreed to help me through prayer, and I was quickly healed of the double vision.

However, instead of accepting the healing as complete and rejoicing in it, I began to speculate on the cause of the trouble. As a result, I opened the door for harmful suggestions to come in.

Mary Baker Eddy writes in Retrospection and Introspection (p. 61): "Christian Science declares that sickness is a belief, a latent fear, made manifest on the body in different forms of fear or disease. This fear is formed unconsciously in the silent thought, as when you awaken from sleep and feel ill, experiencing the effect of a fear whose existence you do not realize; but if you fall asleep, actually conscious of the truth of Christian Science,—namely, that man's harmony is no more to be invaded than the rhythm of the universe,—you cannot awake in fear or suffering of any sort."

During the next several weeks, I was ill and my vision grew very dim. It was often difficult to keep my eyes open; there was much discomfort. Nevertheless, I took a firm stand for Truth, declaring persistently that I was God's perfect, spiritual idea, and that no lie could alter this fact. When pain and fear became excessive, I asked God what I must do. As if in answer came these words from the Bible (Mic. 6:8): "... walk humbly with thy God."

Christ Jesus expressed true humility in accomplishing his mighty healing works. I realized I needed to be more humble in acknowledging God's presence and power at all times; to allow divine Mind to direct me in making minute as well as major decisions.

"Cherish humility, 'watch,' and 'pray without ceasing,' or you will miss the way of Truth and Love," Mrs. Eddy states (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 356). She continues: "Humility is no busybody: it has no moments for trafficking in other people's business, no place for envy, no time for idle words, vain amusements, and all the et cetera of the ways and means of personal sense." I determined to be obedient to this wise counsel.

Although I was grateful to be able to listen to records and cassettes put out by The Christian Science Publishing Society, I longed to read and study for myself the Bible Lessons contained in the Christian Science Quarterly. Soon I was invited to stay in the home of a Christian Science nurse. Before long I could read a few words of large type. I continued in prayer and study, endeavoring to practice what I was learning, knowing that God's law operates to enlighten mankind, not to cast them into darkness. I became conscious of the Christ, tenderly showing me how to go.

When I had trouble focusing my eyes, the practitioner asked me to focus thought on absolute Truth, and not to be distracted by the many forms this problem was assuming. My eyesight improved, and I was able to carry on normal activities to a certain extent. Much time was devoted to prayer and study of the Bible and Mrs. Eddy's writings. Gradually my eyes cleared and focused. Soon I was able to read and to drive a car, using the same eyeglasses I had worn before the trouble. This healing took place over five years ago and has been permanent. The lessons in humility, patience, persistence, and obedience have been invaluable in meeting other challenges.

GLADYS ROBINSON
Tulsa, Oklahoma