Daily Bread

Trust in the Lord and be doing good;
dwell in the land and be nourished with truth.
Let your delight be in the Lord
and he will give you your heart’s desire.
Commit your way to the Lord and put your trust in him,
and he will bring it to pass.
He will make your righteousness as clear as the light
and your just dealing as the noonday.

I love the way the psalmist, with a few words, paints a picture of living in harmony with God. One of the things we long for — one of our deepest desires — is to live in peace with ourselves, God, others, and nature. For many of us, we no longer live in the family home, working the family land, helping with the family business, surrounded by a close-knit community that provides love and support. We live segregated lives, often alone, separated from children, parents, and grandparents. The reasons for this are varied and many — migration, mobility, war, breakdown, and more — and our lack of community and isolation can lead to depression and worse. We are not designed to live like this!

We may not be able to turn back the clock or reshape our culture, but even in the midst of our loneliness in the world, we can find community in new and surprising ways. God brings people into our lives — friends — that become surrogate children, siblings, and parents to us; people who love and accept us for who we are, and who will give us the support and encouragement we need. We can redefine what it means to be 'family' in a world of fractured relationships, and those who assume these new roles are a precious blessing.

Today, think about the people that God has brought into your life and how you have been blessed by them. Give thanks for them and give thanks to God for his provision.

Holy God,
Although my own family may be separated by distance or breakdown,
I thank you for bringing friends into my life,
who bring me support and encouragement,
and who have become my extended family.
Thank you for not leaving us alone,
and for bringing others who journey alongside us.
May we also be a blessing to others,
and be family to them.
Amen.