All during my childhood and into my adult life I suffered terribly from allergies. There were many things in the environment that seemed to trigger reactions but the thing that upset me the most was my reaction to cats. I loved cats but to be even in a house where one had been caused me hours of distress. I grew up in a Christian Science family and through my parents’ prayers, I avoided, or recovered quickly from, many childhood illnesses. Somehow the allergies persisted.
As an adult, I joined the Christian Science church and gained much comfort from the teachings, based in the example of Jesus Christ, but I also sought medical help for the allergies. There was never any pressure on me not to do this, but after trying many remedies I still had no relief. Sometimes the side effects of the medication were worse than the condition so I stopped and just tried to manage the situation by avoiding as many of the irritants as I could.
On one occasion I travelled to the coast to stay with my parents for a few days. When I arrived I found that they were minding my sister’s cat. When I went to bed that night I found this large fluffy cat asleep on my pillow. Within a few minutes, I was in great distress. I struggled to stay calm. Though I knew they weren’t of God, recriminating thoughts flooded in as I tried to make sense of my continued suffering. I felt beaten.
But in that moment, as a result of my prayers, I also began to feel the touch of God’s love and grace. I realised, that as much as this condition had been part of my life for many years, it did not define me. Christian Science had been teaching me all along that my true identity is more than my body – as the Bible teaches, it is spiritual and good; that I am the image of God who is Love. In deep humility I accepted this with all my heart, and I felt a great sense of peace and of being loved. I fell asleep. I slept soundly till morning and woke completely well. Since that day I have never had an allergic reaction and for many years now I have lived happily with cats! This healing has encouraged me to find out more about my spiritual identity and how this understanding brings healing.
This article was originally published in the July 16 issue of the Canberra Weekly.
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This article by Deirdre Kindthistle was first published in the March 2026 issue of The Christian Science Journal.
… For most of my life I had not given much consideration to age. But some time ago I realized that thoughts of aging had crept into my consciousness, eating away at my sense of self and my capacity for enjoying many physical activities. Suddenly my joints were stiff. I was tired all the time. My movements had become clumsy. If friends proposed a hike in the mountains, I hesitated to join them, for when I did, I ended up grunting along, trailing behind the others. If a day’s outing was suggested, I weighed it against enjoying my usual twice-daily naps.
Interesting question! When I first came across this question, my initial thought was to try to pick a number – an age that I would like to be – and to think of myself as that age. Then I realised that I didn’t want to be the me that I was back then. I’ve learned too much in meantime. The next question that occurred to me was: What if I didn’t attribute a number to myself at all? How would I feel if I thought of myself as ageless? That’s a very freeing concept!
Never record ages. Chronological data are no part of the vast forever. Time-tables of birth and death are so many conspiracies against manhood and womanhood. Except for the error of measuring and limiting all that is good and beautiful, man would enjoy more than threescore years and ten and still maintain his vigor, freshness, and promise.
This is interesting to think through and liberating to put into practice. Christian Science helps me to do this.
Christian Science is based on the Bible. It provides important truths that help us live harmonious and productive lives. In the book of Genesis we are told that man is made in the image of God – that we are God’s likeness. God, we are also told, is Spirit – not a material being. This means that man’s true nature is spiritual. Spirit doesn’t age.
Our society gives common consent to ageing. We are conditioned to expect to slow down as the years go by, to be physically less able. How often do we hear people say when they have aches and pains: What can you expect at my age? We can take back this permission by claiming our agelessness – ageless because we are spiritual, the image of God who never ages, never tires, never wears out.
I have proved this often. Once, after not having been on a horse for many decades, I did an eight-hour day of horse riding. I was allocated a large frisky mount that challenged my strength all day. By the end of the ride every muscle in my body screamed and ached, and I could hardly move. As I lay moaning I realised that I had given myself permission to be affected by this. So, I mentally took back permission by reminding myself that as the likeness of God, Spirit, I could say ‘No’ to this situation. I dwelt on this and trusted these thoughts. Within half an hour all pain and tiredness had left. I participated fully in the evening’s activities and remained completely free.
Nowadays when people ask me how old I am, I reply that I try not to have a number. Without a number, I can be the ageless me – free and healthy.
This article, submitted by a member of the Canberra Christian Science community, was first published in the 21 May issue of the Canberra Weekly.
Willingness to become as a little child and to leave the old for the new, renders thought receptive of the advanced idea. Gladness to leave the false landmarks and joy to see them disappear, — this disposition helps to precipitate the ultimate harmony. The purification of sense and self is a proof of progress. “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy p323:32)
… beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
(The Bible – II Peter 3: 8)
Never record ages. Chronological data are no part of the vast forever. Time-tables of birth and death are so many conspiracies against manhood and womanhood. Except for the error of measuring and limiting all that is good and beautiful, man would enjoy more than threescore years and ten and still maintain his vigor, freshness, and promise. Man, governed by immortal Mind, is always beautiful and grand. Each succeeding year unfolds wisdom, beauty, and holiness.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy p246:17)
Christian Science Canberra 