My family and I have been blessed and continue to be blessed by Christian Science in many ways. I want to tell of just a few of the problems that have been solved by living to the best of my ability what Christian Science teaches.

At a time when I was in need of a car, I prayed for guidance and direction. "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths" (Prov. 3:5, 6) was a constant companion and very comforting. I soon purchased a car that met my needs.

Shortly I noticed a leak around the drain plug of the fuel tank. Upon examining it closely I realized that I could make the repair in less time than it probably would take the dealer. However, this demanded that the tank be drained. So, I drove the car until the fuel gauge showed empty. Early the next morning I went to the garage to repair the leak, but the car was gone! To say that I was shocked is an understatement. Now I really had to "trust in the Lord with all [my] heart"!

The fact that the car was not insured for theft made the situation seem very pressing. As soon as I gained my composure I read the Bible Lesson for that week, outlined in the Christian Science Quarterly. It contained these citations from Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy: "Meet every adverse circumstance as its master" (p. 419), and "God, divine Mind, governs all, not partially but supremely" (p. 149). [The entire second statement reads: "Since God, divine Mind, governs all, not partially but supremely, predicting disease does not dignify therapeutics."] I called a Christian Science practitioner who lovingly agreed to pray with me, and I also called the state, county, and city authorities to notify them of the theft.

By noon that day a tow truck driver, listening to the police calls on his radio, had heard about my car. At that point he and a policeman friend of his were driving to town and made a "wrong" turn, thereby having to drive a few extra blocks out of their way. In the process they spotted my deserted car. It was completely out of fuel. The driver then towed the car to his garage and called me.

The car was over eight miles from our home and within less than two miles of the seaport loading docks when it was found. (It has been proved that stolen cars have been loaded on ships at this port and taken to other countries.) I am very grateful—and it is so comforting to know—that we can overcome seeming obstacles by completely trusting God and letting the way unfold.

One night a while back, I was wakened by excruciating pain throughout my body. Also breathing was very painful. There was no position—lying, sitting, walking, or crawling—that brought relief. I woke my wife (a dedicated student of Christian Science) and asked her to help me. We then prayed and read (aloud and silently) the Bible and Science and Health. But fear continued to mount, even as we were reading from I John (4:18): "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear." Finally the error exposed itself—the reading got louder and louder until one of us broke out in laughter. Then we agreed just to trust God, who always meets our needs.

"Insist vehemently on the great fact which covers the whole ground, that God, Spirit, is all, and that there is none beside Him. There is no disease," writes Mrs. Eddy (Science and Health, p. 421). Also, the Bible declares (Ex. 15:26), "I am the Lord that healeth thee." The spiritual truth contained in these two passages became so real to me that fear subsided, and trust and confidence in God were established. What a grand feeling!

Our putting into practice what we knew of God through the study of Christian Science enabled me to continue my daily duties. All along I persisted in acknowledging that as God's creation, man, I was loved, cared for, and free. Also, neither my wife nor I ever tried to identify or name the physical condition.

I had first become aware of the difficulty on a Thursday morning, and on the following Sunday we went to our branch Church of Christ, Scientist, to attend the service. Soon after, I was entirely well.

I have witnessed many healings of family and friends, accomplished by relying solely on God through the teachings of Christian Science. Each victory has strengthened my understanding of and love for God.

Serving the Christian Science movement in a variety of ways, including branch church work, has been and is a progressive, inspiring, rewarding experience. It is with a heart full of gratitude for Mary Baker Eddy's writings, the dedicated teachers of Christian Science, practitioners, and contributors to our periodicals, that I say, truly, "My cup runneth over."

ANTONE GEORGE KOLAJA
Conroe, Texas