Am I Family?

Mark 3:31-35

The mother of Jesus and his brothers arrived at the house.
Standing outside, they sent word to Jesus and called him.
A crowd seated around him told him,
"Your mother and your brothers and your sisters
are outside asking for you."
But he said to them in reply,
"Who are my mother and my brothers?"
And looking around at those seated in the circle he said,
"Here are my mother and my brothers.
For whoever does the will of God
is my brother and sister and mother."

When I read these lines of think of a few times in my life where I have felt like I didn't belong. It was an awkward moment where I just felt like I should leave. I felt dirty and ashamed. Here Jesus boldly announces that anyone that does the will of God is family to him. It may not seem like much but those words are rather bold for someone that feels unworthy in God's presence or here in Jesus' presence. I find peace in the fact that I have a home with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. I have a HOME. If you have ever been homeless this will really ring brightly for you. But there is a flip side here, as Christians we are to act as Jesus and follow his teachings and ways. Do I accept all who approach me? Do I make known that anyone in need has a place of refuge in/with me? I will be honest, sometimes I succeed and other times I let fear or the fact that I am blind because I am caught up in my own self prevent me from loving others like Jesus has here.

Jesus, 

Thank you for welcoming me into your home. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your family. Help me to have the heart and the courage to do the same. Help me to love so that others can feel your love like I do. Help me to love so that I can be a better person and become happier. Help me to love like you do because it is the right thing to do, and help me when I am down and ashamed. Help me to remember that no matter where I am and what I have done, you are there waiting for me to come home to the love of the father. I love you so very much Jesus, thank you.

In Jesus Christ's name I pray,

Amen