I must admit that I'm one of those folks whose been captivated by reality television. Well... at least some of the reality programs.

But there's another "reality" that equally captures my attention - the reality of all things spiritual. I love to prayerfully ponder what I believe God knows and sees from His entirely spiritual perspective.

I've often thought about the scripture, "God is of purer eyes than to behold evil." I like this concept of God. God who is completely good, totally perfect, overflowing with pure love and grace. God who is omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient.

Many times, when I've been struggling with some problem or challenge, I've found it healing and transforming to consider what I believe the God-view is of me. Or in other words, what I believe the spiritual reality is versus the human picture or outward sense of things.

If I've felt weak, I've found strength in thinking of God's view of me as strong. If I've felt alone and depressed, I've been comforted thinking of God's ever-present arms around me. If I've felt uncertain and indecisive, I've been calmed with the knowledge that God knows what is best and will guide me in the right direction. If I've felt ill, I've been restored to health by knowing that God who is Love doesn't send sickness upon his dearly beloved children — and also by knowing God who is omnipotent and good eliminates any other "so-called" evil power.

I think perhaps this is what enabled Jesus to heal multitudes without even knowing the name or type of illness each person in the crowd was experiencing. He didn't need that mortal information. He only needed to know what God was knowing and seeing. And this God-view healed instantly and completely.

Yes, in His eyes, we are innocent, active, joyous, peace-filled, healthy, loving and all the etceteras that I can imagine God's children would be. I find much encouragement in believing that my Father-Mother God has such a view of me.

Christ Jesus' parable of the prodigal son exemplifies God's vision of His children. It's a story about two brothers. One who is faithful and obedient and fulfils his father's expectations of him without question or faults. And the other son, who goes off on his own and does everything he shouldn't until he is penniless and homeless. He finally returns home to ask his father to forgive him and hire him on as a servant, feeling he is no longer worthy to be treated as a son.

But when the son confronts his father with his apology and declaration, it's almost as if the father doesn't even hear his son's confession and apology. This father only sees his beloved son returning home safe and well and immediately has his servants prepare a feast to honor him.

I guess I just like the idea of my Father-Mother God always seeing the best in me. This makes me feel like anything is possible. That it's never too late. This makes me want to live up to God's view - the perfect, spiritual reality. And this makes me feel like I can.

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Annette Bridges is a freelance writer and lives on a north Texas ranch with her husband, John. For the past 25 years, she has been a student of Christian Science, the method of healing explained in Mary Baker Eddy's book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." Visit her website ad participate in her blog at Annette Bridges.com and send her an email at {email annettebridges@gmail.com}annettebridges@gmail.com{/email}. © copyright 2006 by Annette Bridges

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