“The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” Jeremiah 31:3.

Family is most defined as those from the same descendants; family is about trustworthiness, commitment, and love; every born-again believer is a member of God’s family! “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” John 1:12-13.

God has blessed us all with families, whether they are blood relation or not, there are those who will step up to the plate, provide the love, and support that we need. A prime example is the biblical account of the Moabitess woman Ruth after the death of her husband and father-in-law, it depicts a young woman of kindness, compassion, and determination.

Ruth forsakes her homeland and makes the decision to faithfully stand by her mother-in-law and return to the land of Judah; she may have been born in a heathen nation; but her heart was filled with a selfless love that only comes from God. “And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.” Ruth 1:16-17.

Let us praise God today for those whom God has so graciously allowed to minister in our lives with unconditional love…searching our hearts when it is our time to provide the same commitment to others – will we willing give up for the cares and concerns of others? Families are bound by love…and when we are the in the family of God, we love because He first loved us. “The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” Jeremiah 31:3.

Everything is graciously given to us by God; whether it is time, talents, or treasures; we should humbly relinquish all back to God so that we may be used for His glory. “And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. Use hospitality one to another without grudging. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” 1 Peter 4:8-10.

We do not choose our families, they are God’s gifts to us, as we are to them. Let us love, cherish, and prayerfully be found worthy of God’s love given to others.

Blessings of love, grace and mercy be with us all.