Since Family Day was introduced in our province as a public holiday on the third Monday of February, I have taken a walk to the organized fun fair in the city. Streets closed for other traffic allow vendors to set up their tents, and many attractions fill the area for the families who come out for the day.

There are horseback rides, horse-drawn wagon rides around the block, and a small, artificial hill for the young ones to take a speedy sleigh ride down. Ice sculptors can be seen working with a saw on a block of ice, and completed pieces are ready to be seen in the crisp, winter air. Loud music accompanies the gathering, and the figure skating club appears on the ice to give a show.

Youngsters try "spin the wheel", and they win a lollipop, or sometimes two, being told to share the other one. The young man who works at the spinning wheel is joyfully calling for spinners, and he has a Christian message included with his "God bless you!" The sign says that he is from a local church, and his enthusiasm for a happy life is so inviting.

The day has brought out hundreds of families to enjoy the outing. Friends meet friends, neighbours welcome neighbours, and lo and behold, strangers greet strangers.

I was able to make it out once more to watch and greet people with a hello and a smile. I was part of the Family Day, enjoying the life around me.

God has a family day every day! All who have welcomed Jesus, God's beloved Son, into their hearts belong to God's family, and the heavenly outing is filled with happiness and joy, together with thanksgiving and praise!

God's family is around here and now to invite others to join, take part, and share the joy in the Lord.

Romans 8:15b – The Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." (NIV 2011)

The Holy Spirit gives the light to shine into the hearts that are opening to God's invitation to belong to His family. They shall lack nothing in His care!

Jesus stands at the door which opens from inside. Jesus does not come in unless we open the door, inviting Him to enter in. We all have a freedom to choose, even though it is not easy to give away self and give in to Jesus. But the rewards are everlasting, because Jesus saves us from our sins. Jesus has the power to renew the sinner with new life in His family.

The day will come when we will be shut out from such a Family Day outing. We will one day say goodbye to His family on earth, with the hope that we will meet again and be with the Lord forever in His kingdom. Jesus has an awesome Family Day in store for His own family!

Romans 8:18-19 – I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. (NIV)

Prayer: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. (Matthew 6:9-13 NKJV)

Forward this devotional     Share on Facebook

About the author:

Kirsti Sipila <kirstiksipila@hotmail.com>
Brantford, Ontario, Canada
Send your feedback to the author