Family that’s whole, harmonious, and happy

Sometimes it can feel as if happy families only exist in fairy tales. It may even seem normal to feel isolated and lonely, or troubled in our close relationships. But even when challenges feel insurmountable, many people have found that a spiritual sense of themselves and others has a healing impact on their experience of family.

Here’s a selection of articles from the archives of The Christian Science Publishing Society that bring forward this God-centered approach to family – one that isn’t contingent on person or place for love, comfort, and home to shine through. Wherever we are, whomever we are with, a growing understanding of our relation to God can help us find a complete and holy family experience.

“The bedrock of meaningful relationships” explores the strong spiritual foundation that empowers us to build lasting connections.

In “Our ‘Gen 1’ heritage,” the author shares how claiming her true heritage as a daughter of God, with a purely spiritual origin and identity, empowered her to drop the baggage of troubled family history.

In “Inspired Bible study defeats depression,” a father who had unexpectedly lost access to his children shares how relationships with them were renewed as a result of spiritual growth, illustrating the enduring power of the Bible’s promises.

The author of “‘All tears will be wiped away’” tells how embracing a spiritual view of her dad – one that never dies – helped her overcome devastation after her dad passed on.

In “‘Is that your job?’ A question sparks healing at Christmastime,” a woman explores the concept of peacemaking as Jesus expressed it – less about stress and more about trusting God – which helped her navigate a contentious situation between family members.

Disappointed when she and her husband found they couldn’t have children, a woman turned to ideas that brought inspiration, peace, and fulfillment, which she shares in “What I’ve learned about family.”