The term "family" evokes a different image to each of us. Those of us who are blessed with a host of blood relatives, or family related by marriage, might picture two or three generations linked together in a special web of loyalty and love. Others who have few close relatives, or no living relatives at all, may have an extended family of neighbors and friends who act as a network of loving support. Any of these "family" relationships is a special gift from God.

However, there is no greater blessing from God than this: that He made us, as His children, a part of His family.

"But we should behave like God's very own children, adopted into the bosom of his family, and calling to him, " Father, Father." For his Holy Spirit speaks to us deep in our hearts, and tells us that we really are God's children" (Romans 8:15b, 16, TLB).

Because of today's mobile society, you may feel you are without family and friends but as a part of God's family, you have family wherever you go.

Rest in the knowledge tonight that in Him you live in a relationship of family to the body of Christ. This is an eternal family bound together by the blood of Jesus that goes far beyond the ties to families. We are linked together by the all-encompassing bond of God's love.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the earthly family You have given me and for their love. I thank You also for my spiritual family, my brothers and sisters in Christ here and around the world. I can sleep now in the serenity and peace that wherever I am, I am not alone for I am part of Your vast and blessed family. In Jesus' Name, Amen.