Part of God’s Family

Bible Reading: Ephesians 2:19-22

“This trip is so much fun!” said Clara as her family drove back to their hotel during spring vacation.

Her sister Sydney grinned. “Yeah! That water park today was really cool! What are we gonna do tomorrow, Dad?”

“Tomorrow we’re going to church,” Dad answered.

Sydney frowned. “We don’t usually go to church when we’re on vacation.”

“Yeah,” said Clara. “Won’t we feel out of place in a church where we don’t know anyone?”

“Actually, we do know someone—or at least, Pastor Burke does,” Dad replied. “He has friends who live in this town, and your mom and I would like to meet them, so we’re going to their church tomorrow. I think we’ll feel at home there.” The girls were not convinced, but they knew better than to argue.

Early Sunday morning, Mom woke Clara and Sydney. They had breakfast at the hotel and then headed to church. “Can’t we at least skip Sunday school?” Clara asked. “We won’t even know where to go.”

“Pastor Burke’s friends have a daughter your age, so she’ll take you there,” Mom assured them.

When they arrived, they were welcomed at the door by Pastor Burke’s friends Mr. and Mrs. Ortiz and their daughter Gabriella. “Look at those posters on the wall!” Sydney whispered to Clara as they followed Gabriella to her Sunday school class. “They have the same Wednesday night program we do!” The girls were also a little surprised to find they enjoyed the songs they sang—both in Sunday school and in the morning church service—even though they hadn’t heard some of them before.

“That wasn’t bad after all,” said Sydney as they got into their car after church.

“No,” said Clara. “Actually, I liked it a lot. I liked their songs almost as much as the ones we sing at home. And Gabriella and the other kids were nice.”

Dad smiled. “When we’re away from our own church, we might feel like we’re the only Christians in the world, but that’s not true. There are people everywhere who love Jesus, and it’s nice to meet some of them.”

“Yes,” said Mom. “After all, we all belong to God’s family! Meeting Christians in unfamiliar places reminds us we’re never alone.”

-Linda Weddle

How About You?

Have you ever visited a church in a place you didn’t live? Was it a lot like your church at home? Chances are that some things were familiar and other things were different, but the important thing is that you were able to meet others who love Jesus. A church in a new place can be a home away from home because all those who trust in Jesus are part of God’s family.

Today’s Key Verse:
Ephesians 2:19 (NIV) You are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household.

Today’s Key Thought:

Christians belong to God’s family