My family and I were Christians for many years. Yet until we learned of Christian Science, we were not aware of the Science of Christianity that heals.

One day a Christian Science periodical was given to my father, who eagerly read it. At the time my mother was suffering from terrible headaches day after day. (Medical specialists had tried to help; a lot of money had been spent, but to no avail. My mother grew worse until finally the specialists had said that they knew of no other medicines that could be useful to her.) My father then contacted a Christian Science practitioner, who said she would pray for my mother. She also explained to my parents that the Bible and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy are the pastor of the Church of Christ, Scientist. Mrs. Eddy writes (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 322), "Your dual and impersonal pastor, the Bible, and 'Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,' is with you; and the Life these give, the Truth they illustrate, the Love they demonstrate, is the great Shepherd that feedeth my flock, and leadeth them 'beside the still waters.'"

My parents found this visit with the practitioner so inspiring that afterward they bought copies of both these books and began a diligent study of them. My mother worked with the practitioner, and within only three weeks she was completely healed. After that our family threw away all the medicine we had. We determined to rely solely on the truth stated in these two books for all our needs. Through daily study of the Bible Lessons found in the Christian Science Quarterly, the basis of genuine healing was revealed, and we began to find out what it means to really be Christian Scientists.

By studying the Bible Lessons, each member of our family learned to truly listen to the voice of Truth, to trust God's guidance. These two books, the Bible and Science and Health, brought real inspiration, demonstrating the divine fact that our Shepherd is at hand, ever leading us "beside the still waters." These words of Christ Jesus' took on new meaning (John 8:32): "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." And bit by bit our family was freed from the slavery of sickness and inharmony. The following healing is one proof of this freedom.

A matter of days after our second child was born, the doctor attending the birth had him transferred to the central hospital. We were told that our son had hyperbilirubinemia and so required a complete blood transfusion. The child's condition was considered extremely critical. In a panicky state I called a practitioner, who calmly insisted that it's never too late to pray. He reminded me that even though medical opinion concluded that the child's blood needed to be changed or cleansed, in the beginning God established His creation in perfection. Mrs. Eddy says (Science and Health, p. 527), "Man is God's reflection, needing no cultivation, but ever beautiful and complete."

That night I was allowed to stay with the child in the hospital. It was a good opportunity for me to study and pray. I found these words of Elihu in Job, which awakened me to listen only to God, Truth (33:31): "Hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I will speak." What was God saying about this child? I recalled that he was of God's creating, which was and is perfect forever. Because of the child's innate perfection, I saw that nothing could need correcting. I closed the door of my thought to all the human opinions about a physical condition and clung steadfastly to this truth. Then I realized that because everyone reflects divine Mind, or God, the doctors could witness only perfection in our son.

Next to our room, a little girl was suffering from the same illness as our son. The grandmother of the girl was staying with her and appeared to be very fearful. In talking with her I mentioned that fear and worry could be replaced with calmness; the key was in perceiving the truth and standing firm with it. This, I assured her, would bring healing. Then I shared some of the passages quoted above. At this, I saw the face of the grandmother change. She accepted these statements with openness and became calm.

The next day when doctors examined our child and the little girl in the next room, they were astonished at what they saw. They found both children to be in very good condition and determined that a blood transfusion was not necessary for either one. After one more day of observation, the children were declared completely well and released from the hospital. The head doctor of the hospital said, "This is a miracle from God. These children are healed and may go home."

The grandmother was very grateful and told me that her fears had vanished. This healing was evidence to both of us that scientific prayer does heal.

DJONI DARMADI
Jakarta Pusat, Indonesia