In recent years the media have provided the public with an abundance of well-researched and well-documented programs and articles about what happens to the family members of alcoholics.

As one whose father was an alcoholic, I was very much aware of these programs and articles. It became clear to me that this was not a pattern that I wanted to accept for my own life. While my father was never physically abusive, I had lived out almost everything the modern professionals have said a child of an alcoholic would, from low self-esteem, to suicide contemplation, to divorce. Most typically, I had hidden my father's problem, lied about it, been embarrassed by it, felt guilty and resentful about what the problem had done to my family and outlook.

As a Christian Scientist, I endeavored to understand what needed to be corrected by specifically praying and researching the Bible and Mary Baker Eddy's writings for a fresher picture of God and man's relationship to Him. Thus I began to understand better that man is the spiritual image and likeness of Soul, God. There is no fragmentation in this concept of man. I saw myself and my father as expressing harmonious, God-derived qualities.

I went back over my memories of my dad and my family and applied the spiritually scientific truths I had learned of God's man from my study of Christian Science. I did not attempt to block out ugly memories that included crying, arguments, disappointments, embarrassments. Instead, I turned wholeheartedly to God as my true Parent—my Father-Mother God—and asked to understand each family member as He created them, spiritually perfect and never having strayed from His guidance and love.

Along with study of the Bible and prayer, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures was researched for further understanding of God and man's precious relationship to God. Mrs. Eddy's answer to the question "What is man?" amplifies my healing prayers. Part of it reads: "Man is spiritual and perfect .... Man is idea, the image, of Love; he is not physique. He is the compound idea of God, including all right ideas; ... that which has not a single quality underived from Deity ...."

I came to see clearly the wonderful, God-derived qualities my dad expressed—love, intelligence, gentleness, kindness, strength, beauty—as all that he could rightfully express, without any mixture to blot out his divine goodness.

Today there is no pain left, no resentment, no hatred, because there is nothing there to give such emotions to. God's love for me, and for my father, eliminated every vestige of these feelings, which had never truly belonged to me. My life has made some dramatic changes and turns, and my attitude is now based on striving to see God's man more clearly rather than trying to avoid certain situations.

It is vital also to express gratitude for the example my mother set. Her daily prayers in light of Christian Science aligned me with God's protection long before I began to see the need for the healing of my own attitude and outlook.

The Christ presence has come in tangible ways to my life and to the members of my family. One member was successful in freeing himself from drugs. Another put more love and understanding into her marriage to solidify and strengthen it. And each of the aforementioned challenges of mine has been surmounted. The help of dedicated Christian Science practitioners at different times enhanced my progress and prayers during the many years that this healing took place.

Identifying ourselves as God's children, as Christ Jesus instructed us, and allowing God's parenting to govern every aspect of our lives, free us. I am so grateful for this freedom.

Name withheld