The Scripture for today is John 5:24 (The Message) ²⁴ “It’s urgent that you listen carefully to this: Anyone here who believes what I am saying right now and aligns himself with the Father, who has in fact put me in charge, has at this very moment the real, lasting life and is no longer condemned to be an outsider. This person has taken a giant step from the world of the dead to the world of the living.

“No longer condemned to be an outsider…” These words have special meaning to me as I reflect on the time that I have spent with my family during this holiday season.  My oldest daughter, son-in-law, son and two little grandchildren all flew in from other states to spend the holidays here with their family.  It has been a special time – we spent time together reconnecting and rediscovering the bonds that we have – bonds of love, blood, heritage, and shared history.  Within our family, each of us has a special identity – mother, daughter, sister, father, brother, son, grandchild…   Within our family, each of us is uniquely valued for the person that they are; part of the family, yet an individual with gifts and talents as unique as we are.

As I reflect on the beautiful family that God has blessed me and my husband with, I am reminded of the larger family that God has blessed me with.  Through the atoning blood sacrifice of my savior, Jesus, I am part of God’s family.  Not an outsider but a daughter.  Not part of “the world of the dead” but a child of God and part of the “world of the living”.  As a follower of Christ and a child of God, I share bonds of love, blood, heritage and history with brothers and sisters around the world as well as the saints that have gone before me. I am confident that when my time on earth comes to an end, I will be with my Father.  “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?” (John 14:2)  I believe in the precious promise of my Savior.

Jesus, the most precious gift God ever gave to his children, has welcomed me into his family and given me a new identity in him.  Jesus, the Lord and giver of life, has given me hope for new life in the world of the living.  Jesus, my Savior, has given me eternal life with him and the Father.  Hallelujah!

Dear Jesus, I thank you for your love for me.  Thank you for giving your life for my salvation.  Thank you for preparing a place for me in the Father’s house.  I love you Jesus!  Amen

Kelly