Growing up, I was not exposed to religion. My childhood family didn’t attend church, and Jesus was not a name spoken in our home. It wasn’t until my husband, Nathan, and I, along with our three very young kiddos, moved to Arizona that, by God’s grace, He led us to Christ Greenfield. What seemed like an overnight transformation—from a pre-believer to a devoted Christian—was undoubtedly shocking for my childhood family. But the journey didn’t stop there. A few years ago, Nathan and I took another step of faith, deepening our commitment to follow Christ wherever He leads (which at times feels like we are still waiting for the full direction to be revealed).
This transformation, however, has not been without pain. My childhood family has struggled to understand my faith. I have often been met with skepticism, misunderstanding, and even mockery. The people closest to me—the ones who raised me, grew up alongside me, and shared my past—do not yet share in the faith that now defines my life. This is a painful reality, one that weighs heavily on my heart, compounded by family dysfunction and conflict. And yet, I hold on to hope.
I believe with all my being that the Holy Spirit will reveal Himself to them in time. (Yes, Angi, even you!) This is why I refer to them as “pre-believers” rather than non-believers—I trust that God is at work in their hearts, even if I can’t see it yet.
Walking in Vulnerability
Loving people who do not understand or accept your faith is difficult, especially when it hits so close to home. Jesus knew this pain, too. In Mark 3:31-35, even His own family questioned Him, misunderstanding His mission and calling Him out of His mind. And yet, He continued to love them. He also expanded the definition of family, declaring that those who do the will of God are His brothers, sisters, and mother.
This passage gives us a powerful picture of spiritual family. When Jesus’ biological family sought to take Him home, possibly believing He was out of His mind, Jesus responded:
“Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked. Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother” (Mark 3:33-35, NIV).
Even Jesus faced misunderstanding and rejection from His earthly family. His own brothers did not believe in Him until after the Resurrection (John 7:3-5). While He continued to love them, He found belonging and strength in those who did the will of God.
The Gift of Spiritual Family
While my biological family may not yet share my faith, my church family has embraced us, accepted us, and encouraged us to continue to develop personally and spiritually. They have walked with me through sorrow and uncertainty, cared for my family during difficult health journeys, lifted me up in prayer, and reminded me that I am not alone. The body of Christ has become my refuge, a tangible expression of God’s love and belonging.
Yet, despite being created for community, many people experience the quiet weight of loneliness—even in a crowded church. The world is more connected than ever through technology, yet deep, authentic relationships can feel elusive.
Many of us resist reaching out for help, often due to pride, fear of burdening others, or past experiences of rejection, and past family dysfunction. However, the body of Christ is designed to function as a spiritual family, lifting one another up and providing support when needed. Jesus Himself modeled vulnerability and reliance on His community of disciples, teaching us that seeking help is not a sign of weakness but of faith and wisdom.
Many Christians experience a similar dynamic—our biological families may not always understand or support our faith journey, but our church family can become a source of deep community, encouragement, and love. The local church is not just a place of worship; it is a family where we share burdens, celebrate victories, and grow in faith together.
Hope That Does Not Disappoint
Even in suffering, we can hold onto hope. Paul reminds us:
“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” (Romans 5:3-5).
This journey with my childhood family is hard. The longing for them to know Jesus can feel like an ache that never fully goes away. But I know that suffering is not wasted in the kingdom of God. It refines us, draws us closer to Christ, and leads us to hope—hope that does not disappoint, because it is rooted in the unfailing love of our Savior. A few weeks ago, I was able to share my heavy heart with my church family regarding the conflict within my family. They gave me a space to grieve, to be heard, and also to be reminded of the hope we have in Christ. Their love and encouragement lifted my spirit, reassuring me that even in the waiting, God is working.
Jesus did not replace my family—He expanded it. Through His life, death, and resurrection, He has adopted me into the family of God, making me an heir of His kingdom (Galatians 4:4-7). Just as a blended family embraces new bonds of love and belonging, so too does the Body of Christ. As we live out our faith, we do not turn away from our biological families, but we recognize that in Christ, we have been grafted into something greater—a spiritual family united not by blood, but by grace. Let us embrace this gift, walking together in love, encouragement, and the hope that binds us as brothers and sisters in Christ.
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