The NIV 365-Day Devotional Reading Planનમૂનો

Friends – The Family We Choose

Many of us were blessed to be born into a loving, caring family; some of us were not so fortunate. But there is a family into which we can be

reborn

— the family of God (see John 1:12). And God is delighted to “[set] the lonely in families” (Psalm 68:6).

I love my earthly family. I was born into a Christian home and have known God all my life. As I grew up, my family separated to different parts of the United States to raise their own families, and I stayed close to where I was born. Do I miss day-to-day activities with members of my birth family? Absolutely!

But I have others nearby who have become part of my circle of friends. I found these wonderful, dear friends in the family of God where I worship. We share faith in God, as well as similar likes and dislikes, goals and aspirations. I have reached out to share my life with these friends, and together our friendships have formed a chosen family — a family in which trust, caring, love and acceptance have flourished, just as in my birth family.

I believe God smiles on us as we work and play together. Laugh and cry together. Strive and thrive together. We are his family, his friends. We belong to him and to one another as we live as friends and “family.” I am so happy we are his friends — his chosen family.

Charlotte Greeson

Taken from NIV Fulfilled