Remembering God's Provision

God invites us into His family.

"Look with wonder at the depth of the Father’s marvelous love that he has lavished on us! He has called us and made us his very own beloved children." 1 John 3:1 (TPT)

I know this seems pretty elementary for the wrap-up post of our Thanksgiving study. You are correct. The fact that God, Our Father, has invited us to become part of His family is a basic, elementary truth of our faith.

As we remember God's provision in our lives, though, I want us to consider this wild idea that Creator God desires all of us to live, act, and respond like His beloved children. We are all family!

I can't say that I've completely figured this out. I am positive I don't regularly "look with wonder" at God's love for me. Most days, I'm too wrapped in my insecurities to rest in Father God's love and acceptance.

The biggest issue, though, might be my human relationships. I've had grand ideas about what family is supposed to be since I was a little girl. Most of these ideas and dreams for connections grew out of brokenness and lack. I wish I didn't have to admit how many times I've looked at other families that seem to have it all together and hoped for God to give me human relationships like theirs.

I'm starting to realize that every space where a human relationship has failed me, God has offered the invitation to know Him better.

When our parents fail us in small or large ways, we are invited to see God more clearly as a parent.

When we experience difficulty in a marriage relationship, we are invited to know God in a more intimate way.

If we've struggled with parenting decisions, we are invited to lean in to God's divine direction.

When Jesus told the disciples to come to Him like little children He was allowing them to be needy, messy, and relationally challenged. He was inviting them into His family where bonds can never be broken. Things might get awkward, and situations/circumstances could become challenging, but He has taken on the responsibility for maintaining relationship.

Tomorrow, many of us will be spending time with our earthly families. Maybe the day will be filled with pure delight. Awesome! Maybe, though, you'll experience brokenness and frustration within your families. When you do, look at them as invitations. If our families ran perfectly, we'd NEVER look to God as Father or Jesus as the friend that sticks closer than a brother. We can be grateful for the difficulties experienced in family relationship because these difficulties serve as invitations to lean into our Heavenly Father.

Look with wonder and remember with thankfulness.

Our Father, we have chosen to spend some time remembering You, Your care, Your instruction, and Your invitations. Where would we be without You? When we take time to pause and remember who You are to us, what You’ve done for us, and how You’re always inviting us into more, we can’t help but give thanks. Keep on caring, teaching, and inviting, because we don’t want to miss out on abundant life with You. Since You are always giving, we promise to remember. Amen.