Restoring relationships

Recent news reports involving a shooting say that there isn’t enough evidence to determine what actually happened or a satisfactory verdict. Even though the human justice system may not be able to bring about a satisfactory result, I pray with this statement and know there is another kind of justice system always working within us that does not have the limitation of human laws:

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalms 139:23-24

There is such heartfelt humility in this passage admitting that perhaps there is some hidden evil in thought and desiring to be completely free from it through God’s redeeming grace.

God, divine Love, knows all of our thoughts and motives. God is pure Love itself, immortal being and eternal Life, which doesn’t include any darkness. So, as we draw nearer to God, Spirit, the darkness in our thoughts and hearts disappears — just as the darkness disappears when you turn on the light in a room.

Beloved children, the world has need of you, — and more as children than as men and women: it needs your innocence, unselfishness, faithful affection, uncontaminated lives. You need also to watch, and pray that you preserve these virtues unstained, and lose them not through contact with the world. What grander ambition is there than to maintain in yourselves what Jesus loved, and to know that your example, more than words, makes morals for mankind! —Mary Baker Eddy 

The light in each of us is shining in the world. We all have innocence, pure affection and the healing power of grace within us to transform past hurts and restore right relationships.

Just as a baby is incapable of prejudice because he shines spiritual joy and love towards others, we can bring that same pure, fresh light — childlikeness and grace — to our relationships (including family members, neighbors, and community members) and restore them.

How health relates to thought

In today’s world it seems like a lot depends on your health. Poor health can interfere with your job — or your job can interfere with your health.

A revolutionary thinker and healer in the world of health, Mary Baker Eddy, stated: “Health is not a condition of matter, but of Mind.” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures)

She talks about Mind as a synonym for God – the true consciousness and intelligence of the universe which is always governing us.

I’ve had several experiences which have shown me that health is a state of consciousness; it’s not a condition of my body.

One time I was feeling guilty about a situation with a friend. This guilt manifested itself in flu-like symptoms and I was nauseous and vomiting. Because I know that my thought governs my body, I looked deeply into my thoughts and drew closer to God/Spirit in consciousness. I didn’t get distracted by thinking this was a physical problem that needed a physical solution such as medication or other material means. I knew it would be resolved mentally. So, I drew closer in thought to the one Source of all good, Love, and purity. Being so close to Spirit mentally showed me how disturbed I was feeling by this situation with a friend. I prayed for the courage to remedy the situation. After I confessed what I thought I had done wrong and apologized to my friend (who graciously accepted my apology and hadn’t been phased by the situation at all), I felt completely well. The guilty thoughts, which had not come from God and were not a natural part of me, were gone, and my health immediately returned to normal.

This shows me that what we think, and what we are exposed to mentally, determines the state of our body.

Fortunately, because God is Mind, we always have a refuge — a state of thought — to reach up to which is higher than our own. We don’t have to try to “get there” humanly; we can let this Mind rule our thoughts.

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus…” Phil 2:5

So, if you’re in a situation where it seems like your employment is dependant on your health or your health is dependant on your employment, recognize that your health is instead dependent on Mind. You have the right and ability to have complete freedom, health and harmony right now.

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Gal 5:1

Identity – who are you?

For me, pregnancy has been a deeply spiritual and special time. Although there are the outward physical changes, the most significant changes have been internal – an internal growing, awareness and appreciation for our spiritual identity.

As many pregnant women can attest, it can also seem to be a very public time with people openly comparing stories, asking questions and making comments (some helpful and some unhelpful) each time you go outside.

But, for me, none of these stories, comments or questions even touch the surface of knowing this child the way that God does.

“Being posses its qualities before they are perceived humanly.” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy)

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” (Jeremiah 1:5)

These passages speak to our eternal, spiritual identity and purpose. Before we are perceived humanly (and continuing after), we are each made whole, spiritual and eternal. Our identities are each made up of life, creativity, joy, humor, wisdom, beauty, and the power and ability to express them.

Early on in the pregnancy, it became clear to me that no one could perceive this child – know the depths of him or her – except as they know God.  As we listen and are receptive to what God is saying, we will know the identity of each child – whether he or she is still in the womb or is 80 years old. Everything that God tells us about ourselves and our children is good and perfect since God knows every child and reveals the spiritual, eternal nature and identity to each of us.

Who we are goes so far beyond material DNA, cells, bone structure, and personality. Before we had any of these material accompaniments, God knew us and created us spiritually.

We can go forward confidently and securely in our divine perfection. We can trust this perfection and look away from ourselves as being mini-creators and trust the order, harmony and beauty of divine Creation.

This spiritual perspective helps to heal anxiety, fear and can overcome any physical problem we might encounter.