Families come in all shapes and sizes—blended, foster, adoptive, and single-parent homes. But no matter how a home is structured, it can reflect something eternal: the heart of God. At the center of the gospel is this stunning truth. None of us belong by right, but all of us are welcome by grace.
“God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.” —Ephesians 1:5 (NLT)
Adoption isn’t a secondary metaphor in the Bible. It’s central. We were spiritual orphans, cut off from the family of God because of sin. But Jesus came to bring us home. In John 14:18, He says, “No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you.” That is the heartbeat of the gospel: not earned acceptance, but gracious adoption.
Joseph adopted Jesus, and it wasn’t a sweet, sentimental story—it was a bold act in a world of danger. Adoption is spiritual warfare. Every adoption begins with brokenness. But it ends with belonging. That’s why when we care for adopted children, blended families, or single-parent homes. We’re not just doing social good; we’re living out the gospel.
And the church? It’s one big, blended, beautiful family. Jew and Gentile. Male and female. Black and white. Rich and poor. Grafted in by grace. Just like Paul describes in Romans 11, we’ve been added to God’s olive tree. Your home, however shaped, can be part of that witness.
For single parents, the encouragement of Timothy’s life is especially powerful. Raised in a spiritually uneven household, it was his mother and grandmother’s sincere faith that shaped him. And because of their influence, Timothy became a pastor and a pivotal leader in the early church. Your faith, even if it feels small or strained, has the potential to impact generations.
So what do we do?
- Be persistent. Don’t give up—not on your children, not on yourself.
- Be consistent. Let your everyday life point to a real, authentic walk with Jesus.
- Be genuine. Your kids can tell the difference between performance and faith.
Home is where the heart is—and if the heart of your home belongs to Jesus, you are not only building a household, you are helping shape the family of God.