Focus

Take a few minutes to push the “pause” button on whatever is going on around you and be still with God.

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Read

Galatians 4:1-7 (NRSV)

My point is this: heirs, as long as they are minors, are no better than slaves, though they are the owners of all the property; but they remain under guardians and trustees until the date set by the father. So with us; while we were minors, we were enslaved to the elemental spirits of the world. But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.

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Reflect

At the supper table one night not too long ago, my family was talking about the new baby our extended family. My son asked a question that bothered me. He wanted to know how the baby’s older brother was going to feel when his parents reveal to the baby that he is adopted. My son, Ian, felt that finding out he was adopted while his sister was biological would be traumatic to the boy.

His question led us to a conversation about adoption and what a gift it is. My husband and I assured our children that their cousin would be told the truth. He would understand what a gift he was to his parents as well as what a gift it is to be loved so much that a family chooses you to be their own.

Today’s scripture reminds each of us of this gift. God has chosen us to be part of God’s family, not because it “just happened,” but because God loves us so much that God reaches into the world to pick you, to pick me, to be God’s child—now and forever.

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Pray

Loving Parent, thank you for loving me so much that you choose me even when it seems no one else wants me. Your love is astounding to me. I forget sometimes how amazing it is and I fail to believe, too often, that you do indeed choose me. Thank you for the ways in which you remind me. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for choosing me. Amen.

Go with God.