For seven years of college and seminary, I was an adult single, living with other singles. I enjoyed those years, but I sometimes got tired of being surrounded by singles my own age. I was thankful whenever a friendly family invited me to dinner. I enjoyed mingling with children, parents, and grandparents, not just other singles. Families that befriend singles can be a blessing to them.

By the same token, singles can be a huge blessing to families. The number one friend of the family is Jesus himself. Jesus never had a wife or children, but he is the head of every Christian family. The apostle Paul, unmarried and childless, transformed families by leading them to Christ and teaching them God's pattern for family life. Christian author C.S. Lewis never had children, but his Chronicles of Narnia still enrich millions of families and children. You don't have to be a parent to bring love and joy to kids. Childless couples and single people can be used by God as uncles, aunts, teachers, coaches, friends, and mentors for many children.

The Lord doesn't want everybody to be married with children, and he doesn't want everybody to be single. But he does want all his people, married or single, childless or in large families, to appreciate each other, bless each other, and build each other up as members of one body, Christ's church.

PRAYER--Lord, thank you for the splendid variety within your church. Help us to bless others and to value the blessings they bring to us. In Christ, Amen.