Family: not perfect but real

White picket fence, cute little porch, dinner table laughs and not an argument in sight. Ahh, family. And that's the end of today's reading. What! That's not how it goes? Yes. Family life can be tough. In fact, every family is different. Maybe we do have a picket fence, or perhaps our reality is far from picket-fence perfect. Whatever our experience of family, our choice to become a Christian is the choice to adopt, and be adopted into, another (huge) family.

In John 1:12 we're described as 'children of God.' Now this definitely still isn't a perfect 1950's family advert with little Jimmy and his dad playing catch in the back yard. There will be times when we get frustrated, upset and disappointed by other 'family members'.

Being part of God's family means reflecting God's character. We're expected to honour and respect others (see 1 Timothy 5:1-2), and we need to look out for one another (Galatians 6:10). Being a part of God's family is always going to be a challenge, but when we work together to see lives changed, we learn to reflect the heart of God.



So what now? Think about a family member, friend or someone at church who you've felt disconnected from recently. Get in touch with a note to say hi or an invitation to catch up. If you need to set things right, do so. If you need to forgive, do so. Thank God that you can reflect who he is and bring restoration.





— SCRIPTURE —

'God places the lonely in families.' Psalm 68:6 NLT
— SOULFOOD —

2 Ki 4:42-44, Mark 6:30-44