In Psalm 71, we read (verse 3), "Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress." As a student of Christian Science, I have been sustained by this thought so many times.

After a fulfilling and long married life, I was widowed. At that time my only son was in Japan, in the military. Although he was given permission to come home for a month for his dad's funeral, when he returned to Japan I felt so very alone. But this emptiness was soon filled with an awareness of the motherhood and fatherhood of God.

At that time there was a notice in The Christian Science Journal, inviting members of The Mother Church who wished to serve as ushers at the Annual Meeting in Boston to apply. I made application and served in the voluntary capacity of usher for a week before the meeting. That was such a happy experience! During the week someone who had known me for a long time and who had worked with me while I was serving as a Christian Science Reading Room librarian, commented that he knew that my real life, reflecting the divine Life, was already complete. He encouraged me to expect evidence of this spiritual fact. I was helped at once by what he said; and eventually I married another lifelong Christian Scientist. Together we have had numerous proofs of God's protective care.

About three years ago I had a stomach disorder that lasted many months. I had prayed daily for relief, knowing that "there is no disease" (Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy, p. 421). And I also clung to a statement found in Psalms (56:4): "In God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me." I knew that the disorder was a mortal belief which had to be overcome by consecrated prayer.

Finally I called for the help of a Christian Science practitioner who lived in another city. He said that he would pray for me that day but asked that I come to his office the following Monday. My husband and I spent the entire weekend at a hotel in that city, praying and affirming that divine Love was unfolding to both of us a higher sense of our true being as God's reflection. I was receptive to this truth, for on Monday morning I woke free of the discordant condition and with great rejoicing kept my appointment with the practitioner. There has not been a return of the difficulty.

More recently I had a skin irritation that lasted so long I was tempted to think that I would just have to put up with it. While I was still struggling with this problem, I was seized with a severe pain in the lower abdomen, so intense that I seemed unable to pray for myself. I called a practitioner for help. Within an hour I was entirely free from the pain. And in a few weeks the skin irritation simply faded away.

This testimony is offered out of gratitude for the many years of protection and healing that have been mine through the study and practice of Christian Science.

DORIS BLAKE BENSON SHARP
Sun City Center, Florida