I was healed of smoking, and a whole new world opened up for...

CAROL ANN BUSHMAN

I was healed of smoking, and a whole new world opened up for me. Sounds dramatic, doesn't it? But that is exactly what happened.

One day while I was attempting to work out a problem through the study and application of Christian Science, the thought came to me that by smoking I was worshiping another god—breaking the first commandment (Ex.20:3): "Thou shalt have no other gods before me." I had started smoking in my teens and like many smokers had tried several times to quit. This prick to my conscience, however, gave me the needed impetus to try again. Since I was surrounded by smokers at work, I chose a Saturday for D-day and, indeed, the battle raged all day. But I clung to this promising truth in Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy (pp.60-61): "Higher enjoyments alone can satisfy the cravings of immortal man."

The next day, while with a friend who was smoking, I succumbed to temptation. But after the third cigarette I said to myself "no more," and that was it. I returned to work the following day with the temptation to smoke completely removed from me! How exciting that was, particularly since I had often read in the Christian Science periodicals of people healed quickly of this habit. But I never imagined that I, too, would gain this immediate freedom.

Shortly after this healing I wanted to join The Mother Church. But the argument that came to me was that since I hadn't been off cigarettes very long, I had better wait. After discussing this with a Christian Science practitioner, who pointed out that membership in The Mother Church would support the stand I had already taken, I made application without delay. The next year I was privileged to have Christian Science class instruction, and that same year I joined a branch Church of Christ, Scientist. Not long after that I was elected to serve a term as First Reader of the branch church.

The whole new world of which I spoke? It is a greater understanding of God and man as His beloved child, an abundance of good flowing into my life, and a deep-seated commitment to Christian Science. The promise from Science and Health mentioned earlier was kept. I am so very grateful.

CAROL ANN BUSHMAN
Buena Park, California

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