My heart is overflowing with gratitude for a lesson I learned about human relationships, a lesson I could never have learned without the teachings of Christian Science to guide me. I feel there may be those who will benefit from my testimony, and so I lovingly offer it.

I had always been what friends and relatives called a "good daughter," doing everything I could for my parents, whom I loved dearly. I did those things because I wanted to, not because I felt duty-bound. But I never felt that I really succeeded in helping my parents overcome a problem of depression they seemed to have. After visits I would leave feeling frustrated. Then I would have to work hard to maintain my joy. I knew that I should not carry a burdensome sense of responsibility for them, but letting go of this heavy weight was very difficult.

One March when my husband and I were in the Far East, a call came from the family. We left immediately, flying across the world to be with them, as my dad was ill. When I reached him, nothing I did could interest him. He became difficult and quarrelsome, whereas before we had always had a wonderful, loving relationship.

One day he said to me, "Don't judge me, just love me!" This awakened me. I had felt so burdened with the whole picture. It was clear that my father wanted me to release him, not hold onto him. Was it possible simply to turn his problems over to him? I reread an article from an issue of the Sentinel, which a friend had given me. The article pointed out that each individual needs to be allowed to work out his or her own challenges. Reading this again suddenly gave me a great feeling of relief. I was able to just love my father and be tender toward him, telling him how wonderful he had always been to me. Not long after that he passed on peacefully.

After my father's passing my mother developed an excessive dependence on me. I moved her to my home and later to a facility where she received excellent care. She wasn't happy and complained often that I wasn't with her enough. It was very important for me to see that God had created her, that she was His child, as we all are, and that therefore she was complete and satisfied.

The situation wasn't resolved quickly, but I got some wonderful insights into the solution from Bible verses that speak of God calling us His witnesses: "Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord" (Isa. 43:10) and "A faithful witness will not lie" (Prov. 14:5). I reasoned that if I were God's witness, then my job was to see what He had already done; to see His creation. A witness in court must be very careful to tell the truth and only the truth about whatever pertains to the case. A witness is never responsible for changing a case, ruling on a case, or deciding anything—just telling the truth.

I became a witness in the best way I knew how by refusing to accept whatever was untrue about my mother. Sometimes I was led to voice the truth of her real, spiritual being; other times I was a silent witness, affirming her pure, perfect nature as God's child. The burden I had been carrying began to drop away. I saw my main responsibility as being a witness. Remembering Paul's counsel (Phil. 2:12), I knew I wasn't responsible for anyone else's salvation, only my own.

The most amazing thing happened! Gradually my dear mother let go of me. She stopped complaining to me all the time and started to find reasons for gratitude. She complimented those she had previously criticized. A most wonderful change came in our relationship. I was no longer her "little girl." Instead, we were dear friends. Soon after that it became necessary for me to move with my husband across the country. The parting from my mother was a most loving experience, and I left feeling totally free.

I now see the importance of trusting our loved ones to God's care, at the same time recognizing that this can be done with complete confidence in His all-enveloping love. What freedom this wonderful Science of Christ offers! Every day I am more grateful to God for Christian Science, Mrs. Eddy's precious gift to a needy world.

Sally Lou Lind
Northbrook, Illinois

I would like to verify my mother's testimony. Mom has always been the peacemaker in the family, always the one to go overboard to make sure everyone is happy and to keep things harmonious.

When the situation arose with her parents, the irritability and constant complaining that went on for some time seemed too much for even Mom to handle and still keep her joy. But it was because of this difficult situation that she had to see where her ability to be joyful, adaptable, and peaceable really came from: God. This knowledge is what strengthened her, and she was able to meet all the demands placed on her with strength and joy.

I also noticed a big change in Mom—she stopped feeling so responsible for the happiness of other people, not just her parents but other family members and close friends. This is a burden we are certainly never required to carry, and I am grateful to have seen the results of Mom's letting go of this false sense of responsibility by being a witness to my grandparents' real nature as God's children.

During this time I was not in touch with my grandfather, but I visited my grandmother and I did see a drastic change in her. Earlier, on most occasions when my children and I had visited her, she had acted as if it was a burden to have us there and asked that we wait in the lobby so that she could spend time alone with my mom. Gradually her attitude changed and eventually she would smile during our visits and ask questions of the children and me. I am so grateful to have witnessed the growth in my grandparents and in my mom. I appreciate their efforts to let go of old ways of thinking and acting. It gives me encouragement to do the same!

Karin Anne Beaudin
Concord, California