At one point I was virtually addicted to cola. I remember many a morning crawling out of bed and heading straight for the refrigerator to get a drink of cola. My husband for years had been a coffee drinker, relying on it especially during his college years, to keep him awake so that he could study late at night and then to wake him up in the morning. Although I could see clearly that my husband was addicted to coffee, I was ignorant of my own dependency on cola—until someone bluntly pointed it out to me. It was then I realized that the cola habit had to go.

For over a week I prayed concerning this situation. I also talked about it with a Christian Science practitioner. I knew I didn't want this dependency, but I also knew that freedom from it needed to come through something more than human will, if it was to be permanent. For me that something more, above all else, was the desire to be obedient to the spirit of this statement of Mrs. Eddy's (Science and Health, p. 406): "The depraved appetite for alcoholic drinks, tobacco, tea, coffee, opium, is destroyed only by Mind's mastery of the body. This normal control is gained through divine strength and understanding." I was helped in my stand when I read this in Science and Health (p. 183): "Divine Mind rightly demands man's entire obedience, affection, and strength. No reservation is made for any lesser loyalty."

During my week of searching I didn't drink any cola, and at the end of that week I tried some and couldn't stand the syrupy, unsatisfying taste. Remembering how refreshing and great-tasting cola had always seemed to me, I tried another. Positive I'd got a bad batch, I tried yet another from a different six-pack. It was no different. I made the decision right then and there to kick the cola and tea habit, and at the same time my husband decided to give up coffee. Without regret we deposited in the garbage can every ounce of cola, tea, mocha, and coffee. In a very short time all desire for these drug-containing drinks left us both.

We hear many warnings today against the use of caffeine; isn't it good to know we can gain freedom from this drug through prayer? Healing can come gently and completely when we rely on divine Mind as the natural stimulus. In being obedient to the spiritual demand to destroy the false appetite for caffeine, we can accept our Father's commendation (Matt. 25:21): "Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things."

Since taking this stand I have been able to exercise dominion in accomplishing other healings through Christian Science treatment alone.

While in a distant city the sports car in which my husband and I were traveling was struck from behind. To avoid the congested traffic, we agreed to meet the driver of the car at fault a few blocks ahead, to exchange license and insurance information. When we got there the man was nowhere to be found. So we began to pray, knowing that man is the reflection of Truth, and that this fact, realized, would enforce honesty and justice. We retraced our steps a couple of times, but he was nowhere in sight. So we continued to pray. Then my husband felt led to turn up a side street, and there was the car. The driver had tried to avoid us by leaving, but his car (which had not been even slightly damaged in the accident) had stalled. We were able to obtain the necessary information. As an added protection to all, the driver of the other car, who was intoxicated, took a taxi home, which prevented the possibility of further accidents.

Another healing occurred two summers ago. My finger got smashed between two very heavy doors. Although I chose not to have it X-rayed, it did display symptoms of being broken. Through prayer alone the finger once again became straight, useful, and flexible within a few weeks, and without the use of so much as a splint.

All healings require some degree of obedience to God—a virtue that with practice becomes easier to demonstrate. I think our willingness to be obedient has been most significant as an example to our daughters. I am of course very grateful.

LINDA THORNTON
Aloha, Oregon