Finding Family

Read Mark 10:28-30

For today’s devotional, Lisa Sinclair shares about her time overseas in Africa where she served with her family for over ten years. After homeschooling her son for a season, the time came to send him to a boarding school in a neighboring country. It was not an easy decision, and once the day finally came the emotions were overwhelming.

After saying goodbye, Lisa was overcome with emotion and in her home weeping when she learned she had visitors. When she went outside, she found that a group of women from their village had come. They were not asking for anything, but rather they came to grieve with Lisa. They shared stories, cried together, and encouraged Lisa that God is with her son.

In a moment where she felt so alone, she was reminded of today’s passage which is Mark 10:28-30. Although she and Paul had left family to serve overseas, God had richly blessed them with a family many times over with these precious women and many other neighbors in their village.

After reading today’s passage, spend time reflecting on how you view your church family. Have you had the chance to experience such depth as Lisa was able to? If not, what can you identify as holding you back?

Use this devotional as an opportunity to host a conversation with your friends, family, neighbors or small group. After watching today’s video post on eastbrook.org/devotionals/werefamily, use these steps to discuss the Bible passage for today:

• One person reads the Bible passage out loud while everyone else follows along.
• Each person take a turn restating the passage in their own words.
• Read the passage again.
• Have each person answer these questions:
  • “What does this tell me about God?”
  • “What does this tell me about me?”
  • “What does this tell me I ought to do?”
• Have each person share who they know that they will share this with.

by Lisa Sinclair