I have been a Christian Scientist for over fifty years, and it has become my way of life. My greatest blessing is that of being a class-taught student of this religion. I am grateful to a good friend and Christian Science practitioner who invited me into her home for the two-week period of class instruction and helped make this a rewarding and progressive time.

On many occasion Christian Science has helped me to make decisions. When the time came for me to live on my own, I was apprehensive. (Even when young and living with other members of my family, I had been very nervous about the thought of living alone.) As I was thinking about how I would manage, it was as if a voice repeated the twenty-third Psalm with its spiritual explanation give in Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy. The last verse stood out to me: "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house [the consciousness] of [LOVE] for ever." I pondered these words of spiritual truth for several days and was completely healed of the fear of being alone.

Since that time nearly twenty years ago, I have led an active and happy life. Daily needs have been supplied, often in the most unexpected ways. In the words of one of our hymns from the Christian Science Hymnal, "All good, where'er it may be found,/Its source doth find in Thee." I have been healed of injuries and of a tendency to catch colds.

As I was getting ready to go to work one winter morning, I heard some birds singing. After breaking up some bread for them, I went to the door to throw it out. During the night it had rained and then frozen, so the ground was icy. My feet slipped from under me, and to keep from falling I grabbed hold of a broken railing, tearing my hand between the thumb and first finger.

I quickly washed the hand, covered it, and went on my way to work, praying for myself as I went. Someone at work suggested I go to a clinic, but I declined, thanked her for her kindness, and continued to rely on God's healing power. Two or three days later the deep cut was perfectly healed without a scar. This healing will always be a beacon light to me.

During my childhood, and before Christian Science was known in my home, there was much lack and inharmony. But when I began reading Science and Health and Mrs. Eddy's other writings, abundance and happiness became evident. This statement from Miscellaneous Writings by Mrs. Eddy was very sustaining: "Never ask for to-morrow: it is enough that divine Love is an ever-present help; and if you wait, never doubting, you will have all you need every moment." I can truly say that I've gained a fuller sense of God's infinite provision of good.

When I retired after forty years in the business world, it was necessary to prepare myself for this change in my life. A sentence from Science and Health stood out to me: "Each successive stage of experience unfolds new views of divine goodness and love." During the years of my retirement, many such views have opened up for me, with much loving help from friends and fellow church members. It is a joy to share this good with others.

Nora Hance
Leeds, West Yorkshire, England