Finding the Family of God

One of the greatest gifts God has given me since coming to Christ has been the discovery of His family.

When I first began my journey toward healing, I didn't know what it meant to belong to the body of Christ. I certainly didn't understand how much we need one another. Looking back now, I can see that God was placing people in my path long before I was ready to receive what they had to offer.

It began with a woman who was married to my ex-husband's boss. Every time she saw me, she would invite me to Bible study with her. Every time, I politely declined.

This went on for months. Maybe even more than a year.

What I didn't know was that while I was saying no, she was faithfully praying for me.

Then one day I found myself in a substance abuse treatment program yet again. During my stay there, she and her husband came to visit me. It may have seemed like a simple act of kindness to them, but it wasn't simple to me. Their willingness to show up for someone who had repeatedly turned down their invitations left a lasting impression on my heart.

I carried that memory with me for years and the scripture they shared with me that day, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

After completing treatment and returning home, she called and asked if I would like to walk with her for exercise. Something had shifted in me by then. I had begun to trust her care and concern, so I gladly accepted.

For several weeks we walked together. We talked about life, struggles, and faith. Then one day she asked again if I would be interested in studying the Bible with her.

This time I eagerly said yes.

Somewhere along the way, she found her way into my heart.

She became my friend. Later, after Adult & Teen Challenge and my growing relationship with Christ, she became something even more precious: my sister in Christ.

As the years passed, I began to understand that this is how God often works. He doesn't simply save us as individuals. He places us into a family.

After completing the Adult & Teen Challenge program and serving four additional months as an intern, I returned to Oregon. I settled in Madras, where my younger sister lived and where I could be close to my oldest grandchild.

There, God continued to build His family around me.

I found a church home. I found Celebrate Recovery. I found people who loved Jesus and desired to walk faithfully with Him. Before long, I found myself serving as the Ministry Leader of Celebrate Recovery.

Then God surprised me again.

One Sunday at church, I saw a woman I recognized from years earlier when I first discovered Celebrate Recovery. She was the mother of a woman with whom I had completed my first CR Step Study.

Over time, we became friends.

Today, she and her husband have adopted me as their daughter.

They check on me regularly. They encourage me. They celebrate victories and walk with me through hardships. They love me in ways I never experienced growing up.

Both of my parents are now deceased, but God, in His kindness, provided spiritual parents when I needed them most.

Their love has taught me something important: we were never meant to walk alone.

The Christian life is not a solo journey. God designed us to grow within the fellowship of believers. We learn how to live like Christ by walking alongside people who are seeking to live like Christ. We learn how to love by being loved. We learn how to encourage by being encouraged. We learn how to persevere by watching others persevere.

The apostle Paul even said, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1)

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 reminds us:

"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three