“Children of God, in Every Season”

Readings 102725

In nursing home visits, I meet souls who’ve lived long and deep.
Some are gentle.
Some are rough around the edges.
Some carry anger.
Some are entering their second childhood.
Some know God well.
Some are just beginning to wonder.

And in all these phases—
in every attitude, every season—
God looks upon them with love.

The ones most at peace
are the ones who know:
they are children of God.

To be a child of God
is not something we earn.
It’s something we receive.
Not through fear.
Not through striving.
But through the Spirit of adoption.

We cry out, “Abba, Father”—
not as outsiders,
but as beloved ones.
The Spirit whispers to our spirit:
You belong.
You are known.
You are held.

And if we are children,
then we are heirs.
Heirs of God.
Co-heirs with Christ.
Not only in glory,
but in suffering too.

We carry the cross—yes.
But not as slaves.
Not as strangers.
We carry it as children.
Led by love.
Not driven by fear.

So today—
whether we are strong or fading,
whether we remember or forget,
whether we are joyful or weary—
let us live like children of God.
Bold in love.
Gentle in mercy.
Rooted in truth.
We are never alone.

Prayer: “Held as Children”

Abba, Father,
in every season of life—
in strength and in fading,
in joy and in sorrow—
you call us your children.

Thank you for the Spirit of adoption,
for the whisper that says,
“You belong. You are known. You are held.”

Teach us to live as heirs of your love—
bold in compassion,
gentle in mercy,
rooted in truth.

And when we forget who we are,
remind us again:
we are never alone.
Amen.