My husband's family was of a different religion than mine, but this caused no friction. He was loving and considerate, and went faithfully to church with the children and me. When my mother-in-law became sick and needed hospitalization I asked her if she would like to know how Christian Science could help her. She smiled but didn't ask for help.

Because my father-in-law was retired, my husband became concerned about the mounting hospital bill and felt he should pay it. I agreed, although this meant we had to borrow the money on our house—and to put our mortgage back to the beginning balance. The time came when a doctor reported Mother had only a short time to live, and suggested we put her in a nursing home or care for her at home. My father-in-law gathered his six children together to tell them what the doctor had said, and to ask them what they wished to do. No one wanted to put her in a nursing home, but no one offered to take her into their own home—until my husband said he would like to do it.

I remember calling a Christian Science practitioner and talking to her about this situation, for I really didn't know whether I could do this. I don't remember anything specific about the conversation, but I do remember how deeply I realized I couldn't think any resentful thoughts as to why others hadn't offered to help; I needed to stick to what we felt was right, and do it with love. I'll have to say at this point I hadn't thought about healing—I just wanted the strength to care for my mother-in-law.

In the beginning this care was like that for a small infant. But it wasn't long before she was up using the bathroom and eating at the table. As I look back on it, I don't ever remember thinking about her dying. But I do remember how thoroughly she enjoyed my reading to her from the Lesson-Sermon and Christian Science Sentinel every evening.

One afternoon as my father-in-law was attending to Mother, I heard her moaning. Being aware that the problem seemed to be an internal blockage, I stopped right where I was to realize for myself that it was impossible for God, divine Mind, to be inactive; God is always active, and nothing can block the activity of Mind. In a very short time they came to me and, with overwhelming joy, reported that the blockage had given way.

Five weeks from the day that she had come to our house, Mother went home healed. I know this to be true, for shortly afterward Dad took her to the doctor. He found no evidence of the life-threatening condition.

This healing continued to bless everyone. It wasn't long— a year or so—before Dad was able to repay us the money for the hospital bill. With that, and other resources that showed up, we were able to put together enough to pay off the entire mortgage. To me this was proof that "the rich in spirit help the poor in one grand brotherhood, all having the same Principle, or Father; and blessed is that man who seeth his brother's need and supplieth it, seeking his own in another's good" (Science and Health, p. 518). We found we weren't denied anything, but rather were supplied more than sufficiently.

I am so grateful for the help of the practitioner, for this entire experience, and for the awakening to the fact that, when we keep our thought free from the clutter of mortal beliefs through spiritual understanding, divine Mind does the rest. I give thanks also for all the many other healings in our family over the years. I have found that trusting God is the most reliable source of help and healing.

Lucille Jewel Templeton
Shawnee, Kansas