Toy Stories: Barbie — Nurturing vs. Domineering - Monday
Today’s Verse
Psalm 68:6a
God places the lonely in families. (NLT)
My husband and I grew up in very different types of families, and when we were married, there were some typical growing pains as we navigated what our new family was going to look like. In the end, we kept some traditions from each side of the family and created many of our own. One of my favorite things that our family is now defined by, however, was not something we intentionally set out to become from the beginning. We somehow became the gathering place for our kids' friends, and as our kids grew up, our house became a place where other young adults gathered even without our kids.
Some of these young adults are from amazing, godly families, and some of them have had an amazingly difficult childhood to overcome, but all of them need someone to model what is ahead. My husband and I can look back with gratitude to the young families who were a few steps ahead of us as newlyweds. They welcomed us into their chaos and showed us what it looked like for a family to seek the Lord together. The college and young adult years are full of changes, transitions, and too many decisions to count. And even if your family has prepared you well, sometimes you just need someone to remind you of the truth or prepare you a home-cooked meal and invite you to sit at their table.
I try not to be too motherly to these bonus kids. They don’t need me to replace their moms, but they still need nurturing, as well as a place to feel at home and welcome when their home may be far away. They may not be my kids, but as part of God’s family, I have a role to play in their lives.
No matter how old we are, we all need to experience the love and nurture of the Lord through other people. And, it isn’t just the people we are called to serve and love that receive the benefit; it’s a joy beyond measure to have a front row seat to what God is doing in the lives of others.
APPLICATION
You likely have more to offer than you think you do. What has God given you that you can share with someone in a lonely season? If there is someone you know who is spending Thanksgiving alone, make room for one more. Invite them to your table and share a meal as the family of God.
PRAYER
Lord, thank You that You designed us to share life together with others. Give me opportunities to help others feel at home in Your family.