'I felt God's presence within me'
After college, I lived with my sister, who was a Christian Scientist. I wondered how she could have changed from being a staunch member of the religion in which we were raised. I was convinced there was nothing, come rain or shine, that could make me abandon our parents’ religion. I thought of Christian Science as a very new religion, since it was not widely known in my area and had no beautiful church buildings. So each Sunday, my sister and I parted in different directions to attend church services.
I would frequently question my sister about the Bible, but she always gave me a satisfactory answer. On the story of creation in the book of Genesis, however, we differed and had a heated argument. My understanding was that God created man, and woman came from the rib of man as explained in Genesis 2—that was what I was taught in Sunday school. My sister spoke more of the story in Genesis 1, in which man is created in God’s image and likeness.
In our discussions about this point, I began to admire Christian Science. I started pondering these new religious ideas. I realize now this was the power of truth operating in my life. It wasn’t luck, fate, or chance, but God glorifying Himself in my experience. As God says in Ezekiel, “I will overturn, overturn, overturn … until he come whose right it is” (21:27). And so it was for me—religious preconceptions were being overturned and Christian Science was coming in.
Mary Baker Eddy states in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, “A grain of Christian Science does wonders for mortals, so omnipotent is Truth, but more of Christian Science must be gained in order to continue in well doing” (p. 449). So one Sunday I prepared to attend my first Christian Science church service. The church was held in a simply furnished rented building. As we took our seats, the congregation exchanged smiles and looks full of radiant love. As the First and Second Reader read the Bible Lesson-Sermon, I felt God’s presence within me. It gave me a fresh outlook on life.
I would frequently question my sister about the Bible, and she always gave me a satisfactory answer.
After attending this service, I felt the urge to go deeper into the Bible Lesson. This spiritual study helped my understanding, and so the next church service was even more valuable. Truly it was a church “on the move,” a church as Mrs. Eddy defines it: “The Church is that institution, which affords proof of its utility and is found elevating the race, rousing the dormant understanding from material beliefs to the apprehension of spiritual ideas and the demonstration of divine Science, thereby casting out devils, or error, and healing the sick” (Science and Health, p. 583). I joined that Christian Science Society and became a Reading Room librarian there, which enabled me to study more of Mrs. Eddy’s writings and other Christian Science literature.
As I learned more about Christian Science, I began to experience healing, including a wonderful healing of malaria (see the Christian Science Sentinel, May 10, 1999). This made me feel closer to my God than ever before. As it is said, when you go to buy a coat, you choose the one that fits—if it’s too small, you feel uncomfortable and if it’s too big, you feel terrible. Now my “coat” of spiritual understanding fit, and I would maintain it by furthering its mission of healing.
I’m so grateful to Mary Baker Eddy for discovering and founding Christian Science. As Hymn No. 95 in the Christian Science Hymnal states, “He leadeth me, He leadeth me, / By His own hand He leadeth me. / His faithful follower I would be, / For by His hand He leadeth me” (Joseph H. Gilmore). I am wholly grateful for this marvelous Science of healing, which has had such a profound impact on my life.
