"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." That Bible verse, written by the Apostle Paul, states to me what Christian Science does: whatever disorder presents itself, God's word provides a better answer (quicker, more powerful, and sharper) than any I could ever outline. And our discerning this Truth inevitably results in unsought blessings.

I will always be grateful to my mother and father, who so readily accepted Science and enrolled my brother and me in a Christian Science Sunday School. Since that time there have been many proofs of God's omnipresent care.

A very treasured one occurred when my youngest son was three years old. He appeared to be affected by carbon monoxide fumes from the car.

The many healings we had had in Christian Science gave me the poise at that time to think and act calmly. While holding the child in my arms, I was able to know with certainty that God was his Life right there, and that nothing could take Life from him.

I called a Christian Science practitioner to support us in prayer. Help was quickly, lovingly given. But then I became afraid and began to look for signs of improvement.

In Science and Health, Mrs. Eddy writes, "If we look to the body for pleasure, we find pain; for Life, we find death; for Truth, we find error; for Spirit, we find its opposite, matter." I called the practitioner right back. Now I needed help!

After the practitioner and I had talked, I made my child comfortable on the couch and asked my Father-Mother God to help me see that Life is God and cannot be severed from any of His children.

In the meantime my four-year-old son began to sing a hymn to his brother. When I looked at the child again, he was sleeping normally. In a short time, he woke up free and with no aftereffects from the experience.

On another occasion, when the boys were around six and seven years old, one of them stood on a glass towel rod while they bathed prior to going to bed. The rod shattered, badly cutting their feet and legs.

When I discovered what had happened, I cleaned the boys up and began to pray. I silently denied that anything could be out of order, for God's harmonious government never stops. The boys were absolutely free of pain. Then I sat quietly and gave each child a thorough prayerful treatment, becoming conscious of each as God's innocent, spiritual reflection. There was no more bleeding and no need for bandages. The next morning they both eagerly ran outside to play, completely free.

Years later, at a time when my daughter was living several states away, her roommate called. My daughter was ill and wanted me to pray for her. At the time I was depressed and, weighed down with such a personal sense of myself and others, I mistakenly felt that my prayers would not be of any use. Still, I reached out to God for an answer, and quickly I found myself telling my daughter's roommate to read the ninety-first Psalm aloud—that this would help both of them feel comfort and support.

All evening I dwelt on that psalm and prayed to God, "I know she dwells in Your secret place under the shadow of Your wings." I just gave my daughter into His care. Shortly after I came home, my daughter called to say that she was fine. When her friend had read the psalm, the discomfort had simply left. Her friend was quite in awe.

An understanding of God's constant guidance and care has provided me with health, stamina, and a great sense of peace. Following a divorce, I learned to prove that sustenance and supply are divine in origin. Because I was only sporadically employed while married, getting pleasing and profitable work has been challenging. But overall it has been a good experience. I'm really grateful for the variety of jobs that I have had, and particularly for the spiritual growth that has accompanied them.

Healings of stomach pains, sprains, a foot injury, and a severe case of hemorrhaging are among many to which I can attest.

I am so grateful for having had class instruction in Christian Science. Daily this tender, wise provision for spiritual growth, together with what I learned through it, gives me great joy and inspiration.

Patricia Kadick
Chicago, Illinois