“A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows,
is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families,
he leads out the prisoners with singing…” – Psalm 68:5-6, NIV
Thanksgiving Devotional Day 30
Bree grew up in the foster care system. She had been passed from one family to the next with very little stability. But her grades were good, and she was able to get into a local community college.
While there, Bree made friends with one of the professors. When the holiday season arrived, Bree’s professor invited her to spend Thanksgiving break at her house.
During their time together, Bree shared how sad she sometimes felt at not having a family around her. Bree’s professor led her to the living room. She pulled a thick, well-loved quilt from the sofa.
She explained as she ran her hand along the material. “It’s a patchwork quilt. My grandmother used pieces of different materials and sewed them together.”
She paused to smile at Bree, “It’s not unlike what God does for those without families. You may feel lonely, but God is sewing you a patchwork family.”
Like Bree, the holidays may be stressful for you if you don’t have a family. But know that whatever’s going on, God is at work, setting people into your life to fill those familial roles that you long for.
God, when I feel alone, send people who will step in and act as my family. I long to be placed in a family. Please walk with me through this.
