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Attending Christian Science Sunday School as a child, I loved what I learned there of God—He’s everywhere, always Love, and All. But going out into the “cold, cruel world,” I couldn’t reconcile what I was seeing with a God who is Love. Putting my Bible and Science and Health on the shelf, I forged ahead, just trying to live a moral, meaningful life. I married, had children, was happy, but missing was a depth to life.  Science and Health beckoned to me. Opening it, I saw my grandmother’s note inside: “Judith Ann—Read this.  You owe it to yourself.” I did, for the first time. When I came to “The calm, strong currents of true spirituality.

In 1923 my grandfather was given a copy of Science and Health, and through reading it, healed his five-year-old son (my father) of terminal cancer and polio, whose case had been given up by five physicians. I felt a natural affinity for Christian Science as a young child, and early developed a desire to heal.

I grew up in Spain. My youth was very normal, with a focus on music.

I was a teenager when Christian Science entered my life, a woman handed me her unwanted periodicals. I read them and was intrigued by the way God was defined as impartial, all-inclusive Love. I felt that God was leading my life in a new direction.

I am a third-generation, lifelong Christian Scientist. My paternal grandmother was a devoted practitioner. Her healing example, dedication, and love of Christian Science made a deep and lasting impression on me. As a young adult my career goal was to practice law. After finishing law school and working for several years as a lawyer, I discovered that the satisfaction I had hoped to find in helping others through legal challenges wasn’t there. Feeling unfulfilled and yearning to find a better way of serving others, I began looking and praying in earnest for a more meaningful outlet to love. This yearning led me first to many community volunteer jobs, including serving as a CASA (court-appointed special advocate for children in foster care) and performing in theatre productions geared to young children. Still looking for deeper fulfillment, I discovered the blessings of serving my branch church.  As my love for Christian Science grew and expanded, the healing work was a natural evolution and unfoldment in thought and activity. I have served The Mother Church as a member of the Board of Lectureship and also as the state Committee on Publication for Kansas. I enjoy contributing to the periodicals. I was a member of the Normal Class of 2006.

A used copy of Science and Health , purchased for ten cents at a book fair, was shared with me by a friend while I was a student at Tulane University. At the time, I was struggling to gain a sense of direction and purpose in my life.

Saying “yes” to God makes life a grand adventure.  Learning about my relationship with God benefitted every area of my life, from health to relationships to employment and supply. During college, I wasn’t sure what career path to follow.

I was raised in the suburbs of Chicago, and enjoyed a very happy upbringing. I credit my parents, through their practice and understanding of Christian Science, with instilling in me a love for God and church.

I’d love to meet you and cherish your spiritual search! I’m Suzanne Riedel, C.S.B., and I live and teach in the Denver, Colorado area. I am guessing we may have some experiences in common . M ine have been varied. My marriage, five children, graduate school, and teaching high school and middle school for 20 years all were proving grounds for what I was learning about God and the great Love we all have.

Mary Baker Eddy (1821-1910) was a spiritual pioneer. Her work covered the disciplines of science, theology, and medicine.