A Part of the Family

Bible Reading: Ephesians 1:3-6

“Mark, it’s your turn to help with the dishes tonight,” Mr. Patterson said as the kids finished scraping up the last smudges of tomato sauce with their garlic bread.

“Why do I have to do so much around here?” asked Mark.

“Because you’re a part of the family, and family members help with the chores,” answered Mr. Patterson.

Mark looked down at his plate. “Even though you’re just my foster family?”

Mr. Patterson looked across the table at Mrs. Patterson and smiled as the kids began carrying their dishes to the sink. “Mark, do you know why we agreed to be your foster parents?” he asked.

“Well, I’m guessing it wasn’t for my dish-washing skills!”

Mr. Patterson laughed. “Not even close! We didn’t care what you looked like, sounded like, or how smart you were. We loved you even before you joined our family because God created you in His image and brought you to us.”

“What does that have to do with me washing dishes?” Mark asked.

“We become part of God’s family when we trust Jesus as our Savior, and being a part of His family means our actions and words should reflect that we’re His children. We can’t earn a place in His family, but He sent His Son to die so we could become His children. He loves us and wants to be our heavenly Father, and that makes us want to obey and serve Him. You weren’t born into our family, but since you’re a part of it now, I hope you’ll want to serve us by helping with the dishes.”

Mark brought his dishes to the sink and turned the water on hot. As he began to scrub, he turned to Mr. and Mrs. Patterson.

“So it’s okay that I’m not the smartest kid in class or the best on the basketball team? You guys love me no matter what and want me to be a part of the family?”

“Absolutely,” said Mrs. Patterson. “It’s not about what you do, Mark. We aren’t going to send you away when you mess up or make a mistake. You’re a part of our family now.”

Mark couldn’t hide his smile as he turned back to the sink and continued washing dishes for his family who loved him. – Emily Saxe

How About You?

What’s your family like? Maybe you’re adopted, in foster care, or live with relatives. Whatever your situation, if you trust Jesus as your Savior, you’re in God’s family forever! He loves you and will teach you to obey Him, and He’ll never turn you away when you mess up. If you’re not part of His family, you can become one of His children today. (To learn more, click the blue “Good News” button in the column to the right.)

Today’s Key Verse:
1 John 3:1 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! (NKJV)

Today’s Key Thought:

We’re a part of God’s family