"Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. He replied, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.’ Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. But he answered his father, ‘Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!’ Then the father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.’"

Luke 15:25-32

Large families do not favor one child over another. They take care of the child who is sick, the child who is needy, and the child who is away. Any one of us has been in that situation at one time of our life or another. People who are lost in sin are the same way. We focus on the one who is lost, and that does not mean the ones who are not lost are any less important. Our prayer should be that we not feel slighted when one of our family members needs help. God loves all of us, and He will be there for us in our own time of need. He showers His blessing on each and every one of us. If we abide in His endless love, nothing can ever come between us and our Savior.

God loves every one of us

as if there were but one of us to love.

Our Daily Bread – September 23, 2004