“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens but you are citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.”
Ephesians 2:19

Twenty years ago, my husband and I were newlyweds and had recently moved to Madison. Joining Good Shepherd was the first “official” step we took as a couple. The first few Sundays we workedup the courage to join others in the Fireside Room for kringle and coffee. Soon we were serving coffee and kringle to our Good Shepherd family. One relationship led to another as we worshipped in our “household of God.”

The friendships with my Good Shepherd family have deeply impacted my life over the years. I joined a small group about twelve years ago and we’re still meeting monthly. We’ve shared a number of relevant Bible studies, the challenges of parenthood and about every brunch casserole known to Lutherans. Our founding leader passed away last year which left a huge hole in our group and in our hearts. What a wonderful support system we’ve found in each other as we continue to heal through God’s grace.

Good Shepherd has provided my family with some wonderful opportunities to serve others in the “household of God” both locally and globally. We’ve been able to donate food for the pantry, cook meals for the homeless and support our missionaries overseas. It makes me feel very special to be a small part of something so much bigger and feel that I’ve made a difference.

This Lenten season instead of giving something up, why not make an effort to get to know more of your Good Shepherd family. We’re an interesting group with a variety of life experiences, but more importantly all of us share a faith in God. Together we can all work to reach out to more members of our community and around the world Then, we’ll “no longer be strangers and aliens but citizens with the saints and members of the household of God”.

Happily, Good Shepherd has continued to change our lives with the adoption of 2 sisters from Ethiopia in September of 2007. Feben, age nine, and Melat, age twelve, have brought much life into our home! Tom and I, Matthew, and Temesgen traveled back to Ethiopia to bring our new daughters home. It was a beautiful reunion with Temesgen’s older brother who was able to spend much of the week with us. We were fortunate to have met our girls’ grandparents, aunt and their brother. God continued to work in our lives by bringing Melat’s best friend from the orphanage home right here in Madison in November of 2007 with her new mom. We are still praying for Feben’s best friend and her best friend’s twin brother to find a home here in the US. Good Shepherd Lutheran Church has played an important part in changing the lives of four orphaned children who will now have unlimited possibilities in their new lives here.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of friendship and family. This Lenten season help us to share that gift with one another.
Amen.