Our families, no matter how we define them, are very important to our growing and maturing as children, and to our sanity and survival as we age. In scripture we are told to honor our father and mother, but I have found that over the years and as we move around lots of people enter our lives and become family for us. They build us up, they support us, they help us when the chips are down, and without them we would not be who we are.
Abba, you have shown us how to care for one another, and we rejoice in your love. We thank you for those who come into our lives as family, whether or not we are actually related. Thank you for those who have taught us, loved us, supported us, and for those for whom we have been family. May we always remember to love others as you have loved us.