As a young adult I found that life was becoming less and less satisfying, and I began to search for answers in many directions. Christian Science was introduced to my mother when she was having a great personal trial. Her wholehearted acceptance of the teachings of Science prompted me to look into this religion.

What a great blessing it has been to study Christian Science for the last twelve years. I am grateful for my early religious training and for a mother who convinced me by her example that spirituality is important.

I remember my first Wednesday evening testimony meeting so clearly. The heartfelt gratitude of the testimonies that night and the radical stand for good being taken by ordinary men and women so touched me that I decided to learn more of this wonderful teaching. It was not very long before I joined The Mother Church and a branch church.

We have experienced many wonderful healings in our family Several stand out as particularly meaningful to me.

At one point my life seemed so tense and hectic that I was unable to concentrate on the daily Bible Lessons outlined in the Christian Science Quarterly or pray effectively. Personal relationship difficulties, a high-pressure sales job, and raising a child as a single parent seemed to overwhelm me.

One morning I discovered a small, painful lump in my breast. At first I was terrified. But I quickly turned to God in prayer. I vehemently denied any possibility of disease and affirmed my own true nature as the perfect child of God.

It was Wednesday, and that evening I attended the testimony meeting at my branch church. One testifier pointed out how important it is to deny any suggestion that God is not in control. I knew that this was my answer—consistently and faithfully to deny this situation any power over me and to affirm God's infinite power in my life. I also tried to purify my thoughts and actions. The lump soon disappeared.

Some time after that, my son developed a large, painful growth on his arm. I began praying about it and also asked a Christian Science practitioner for prayerful support. My son was soon healed, and the problem has not recurred. I have rejoiced many times in this wonderful proof of God's power to heal!

Both of these healings taught me that real growth is spiritual and that striving for spiritual growth blesses us. In the second case the blessings went beyond my son's healing. As the practitioner and I prayed, my need for peace and purity of thought became obvious. I began to work diligently to appreciate and express these qualities. This gradually resulted in new relationships, a new job, and a greater sense of God's love and forgiveness.

At another time I began to receive obscene phone calls, sometimes four or five a day. At first I was very frightened. I began to watch neighbors and acquaintances suspiciously I feared for my son and kept the doors locked at all hours of the day and night. Each time the man called I would hang up.

I was praying to realize that God's children are all good and pure; but as I continued to feel angry and afraid, I realized I needed to call a practitioner for help. The practitioner agreed to pray for me and also recounted the experience of a practitioner who began receiving obscene calls and each time would speak to the man about his true identity as the child of God. The man was healed.

This inspired me! The next time the man called I spoke to him about God and about his true self as God's image and likeness. I had to overcome a great deal of fear and anger in order to think of this man spiritually Well, at first he began to hang up on me! But then he changed from whispering obscenities to whispering about difficulties in his life. I listened and shared with him what I knew of God's healing power. Soon the calls dwindled away to none— except for one final call to apologize.

I am so grateful for Christian Science. No difficulty can escape the loving, healing action of our heavenly Father.

Sharon Vincz Andrews
Bloomington, Indiana