CHAPTER 4
Receiving Your
Father’s Children

The collective gasp of the crowd was the last thing Briana heard. After that, the pain in her leg was so intense she could only think one thing. Lord, please send someone to help me! With that simple prayer, Briana closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.

When she woke up, she was a little confused at first. It didn’t take long, though, for her to rub the icky crust caused by her dried up tears from her eyes. That’s when she saw her right leg dangling from a leg brace, and understood why she was in Children’s Hospital. Briana had broken her leg performing a cheerleading stunt at the half-time show of Friday night’s football game. Not cool.

Jessica was the first one to notice Briana was awake. “Hey, Bree!” she said.

“Hey Jess. Please tell me I did not break my leg in front of the entire school at the game.”

“Sorry. Don’t besties always tell each other the truth? Everyone knows that it wasn’t your fault, though. They think you’re completely brave.”

“Did Austin Thomas see it?”

“Yeah, but who saw you isn’t important.”

Briana’s mom stood up from her chair and walked around to the side of the hospital bed opposite Jessica. “Not so fast, Jessica. Austin — and a lot of other folks — are deeply concerned about you. In fact,” she said pointing to the door, “they are all just outside waiting to find out your condition.”

Briana dropped her head and put her hands over her eyes, hiding her face. “Are you serious?” Briana said.

“Absolutely,” she said. “They even decided to reschedule the game for a later date so your classmates and teachers could come be with you.”

“So you mean I totally ruined the game? What a disaster! How can I go back to school now?”

A soft tap on the door interrupted Briana’s frustrated inquiry. It was her pediatrician, Dr. Sutton. “Well hello, Briana, Mrs. Robinson,” she said. “Looks like you have a nasty fracture there young lady!”

Briana’s mom said, “Exactly how bad is it, Dr. Sutton?”

“Mom, chill,” said Briana. “It’s not that serious. The main thing is that the entire school saw me make a clumsy mistake and ruin a perfectly good football game.”

“You know, Briana,” Dr. Sutton said, “that’s only one way of looking at things. The way I see it, what you call a clumsy mistake was actually a gutsy move that really kept one of your teammates from sustaining an injury much worse than yours.”

“She’s right, Bree,” said Jessica. “Don’t you remember at camp how we learned about spotting during a basket toss? If you would have let Isa hit the ground after throwing her up like that, she could’ve ended up paralyzed.”

“That’s correct,” said Dr. Sutton. “Isa and her family have been right here with you since you got here, and I’ll tell you what. They certainly don’t think you made a clumsy mistake.”

“We practiced that toss a million times. I don’t understand what went wrong.”

“And all of your practice paid off. You caught Isa exactly as you should have.”

Briana’s mom sighed. “Does she need surgery, Dr. Sutton?”

“I’m afraid so. The swelling is severe right now, so we’re going to have to wait a few days at least. But I think surgery is our best option in her case. Take a look.”

Dr. Sutton walked over to the X-ray viewer and put the pictures of Briana’s leg to the light for everyone to see. Mrs. Robinson and Jessica gathered around as Dr. Sutton showed them the fracture in Briana’s leg and explained why she needed surgery. When she was done, she walked back over to Briana and gave her a rub on the head.

“She’ll still be able to cheer though, right?” said Jessica.

Dr. Sutton looked at Briana. “The rest of this year is out. You will have to go through physical therapy for a few months to get your leg strong again. But by summer camp, you should be good to go.”

The thought of missing the rest of football season, not to mention all of the spring sports and activities, was devastating to Briana. What kind of captain sits out on the sidelines while her team does all of the hard work? She felt like she was disappointing everybody, including herself.

“You’re a good friend to have around when a girl needs a little help. Is it okay with you if I go and share with your friends out there what’s going on with your leg?”

“Sure. That’s cool,” she said.

“And how about visitors? I want to keep you in here this weekend and let the nurses help you get that pain under control. But you’ve got a lot of people out there who really want to see you now. Do you mind?”

Briana’s mom answered. “Yes, Dr. Sutton, let’s wait on the visitors — “

“No, Mom. It’s fine. I’m okay, really.”

“Are you sure, sweetheart? You really need to get some rest — “

“Seriously, Mom. I’m fine.”

“Great,” said Dr. Sutton. “I’ll let your nurse know that it’s okay for you to have visitors. Two or three at a time, okay?”

Briana nodded her head and attempted a small smile. “Thank you.” Dr. Sutton walked out of the room, and Briana prepared for the onslaught of concerned Live Oak Lions headed her way. “How do I look?” she asked Jessica.

“A mess.” Jessica grabbed a brush from Briana’s hot pink duffle bag. She pulled Briana’s hair up to a high ponytail on top of her head, finishing it off with a white bow. “There. That’s better.”

Briana tugged at the dingy hospital gown she was wearing. “And what about this?”

“Uh … that stays on for now. You need to stay comfortable.”

“Who says comfortable can’t be cute? This is horrible! Can’t I at least put a cute tee shirt on top before my friends come in? You did bring me something nicer than this to put on, right Mom?”

Mrs. Robinson shook her head yes. She had packed Briana’s bag with everything she would need during her hospital stay. But it was too late for Bree to change clothes.

There was a soft tap on the door and Mrs. Thomas, Austin’s mother, poked her head inside. “Knock, knock,” she said. Briana’s mom signaled that it was okay to enter, and the parents greeted each other. Then Austin’s dad walked over to the bedside and gently patted Briana on her head.

“Good to see you, Miss Robinson. How are you feeling?”

“I’m okay, Pastor Thomas. Thank you for asking.”

“Your doctor tells us you’re in a lot of pain and will need surgery for your injury. I don’t want to keep you from your rest for long, but can we pray with you?”

“I would really like that, sir.”

Pastor Thomas directed his wife, Austin, Briana’s mom, and Jessica to join him at the bedside. They made a semicircle around Briana and prayed for her full recovery. Briana had closed her eyes during the prayer. When she opened them, her eyes fell on Austin for the first time since he and his family had come into her room.

He was standing at the foot of the bed, looking a bit timid. She thought, he’s probably just embarrassed by that big ketchup stain smeared over the number 23 of his Lions basketball jersey he’s wearing. She pointed to the smear. “Did you miss your mouth?”

In the few months she had known him, he always had a quick joke. Not this time. He simply touched her on the foot of her uninjured leg and smiled.

“Are you comfortable?” he said.

“Not so much.”

“That was a dumb question. I just want you to be — “

“I am.” Briana reached to pull the blanket up closer to her waist, but she couldn’t stretch far enough.

“Can I get that for you?” Austin said.

Briana was frustrated that she was incapable of helping herself. For the next several months, she was going to be limited. She didn’t like the idea of relying on other people to do things that she was accustomed to doing on her own. How could she go from being the strongest athlete on the squad to a broken-legged bowhead in the bed? With tears in her eyes, she dropped her head, admitting to herself, her family, and her friends the frailty caused by her broken leg. “Yes, I need your help.”

“You got it.” He walked from the foot of the bed to the right side where his parents were standing. They moved back so he could adjust the blanket for Briana. “Oh wait! I have something else for you too,” he said, walking over to the chair where he’d placed his backpack. He pulled out a white wicker basket wrapped in hot pink cellophane paper. It had a cute plastic megaphone attached to the top. “Here you go,” he said. She had never seen a basket decorated like that before. Inside the basket were her favorite treats — mini banana-nut muffins and lots of fruit. “Just what the doctor ordered,” he said.

“Thanks, two-three,” Briana said. “That’s really sweet.”

Ashley walked in just in time to keep Briana from trying to come up with something to say to avoid the awkward silence. She rushed over to the bed. “Hey, sister. How’s the leg?”

“It’s been better,” Briana said.

“I’m sorry it took me so long to get here. I had to wait for the Fosters to get home. With all those people out there, doesn’t look like you needed me though!”

“Yeah. I know, right? Dr. Sutton said it was pretty crowded.”

“That’s an understatement, Bree. It’s packed. I had a really hard time getting in here. Have you thought about going out there just to let everyone know how you’re doing?” Ashley looked at their mom.

“I don’t know about that. Do you even feel up to it, honey?” said Mrs. Robinson.

“Well, wheeling me out there would be much easier than trying to get everyone in here two or three at a time.” Briana slicked her hair back with her hand. “Even though I look ridiculous.”

“Sweetheart, you look just fine,” said Austin’s mom. She turned to Mrs. Robinson. “Maybe you should call a nurse in here to see if she can go out?”

Briana’s mom pressed the call light beside Briana’s bed, and her nurse soon came in. Mrs. Robinson explained that they thought it would make more sense for Briana to greet everyone in the waiting room and requested permission to take her out. Within minutes, Briana was up and sitting in a wheelchair, with Ashley behind her ready to roll her into the waiting room.

After Ashley mashed the button, the huge double doors leading into the waiting area opened slowly. Briana reached her arm back over her shoulder, grabbing for her big sister’s hand steering the wheelchair.

“You okay with this?” said Ashley.

“Yep. Just a little nervous about all eyes being on me and my big blunder.”

“They’re not here to kick you because you’re down, sister. They’re here to help you stand back up,” she said. Then Ashley pushed her sister on through.

When the doors finally opened, the spectacle before Briana astounded her. Looking at the cheery faces of dozens of well-wishers welcoming her, she felt like the bright lights from the football stadium had made their way into the hospital waiting room. The sight of the massive gathering of friends, teachers, school officials, and church members flooded Briana’s heart with gratitude. The painful misery of her injury evaporated among the black and gold balloon bouquets, the smell of yellow roses, and the sounds of her favorite cheer playlist streaming from the jam box. What mattered most, though, were her fellow squad members surrounding Isa who stood there uninjured, still in her Lions’ cheerleading uniform, and holding a vividly decorated banner that read: Way to go Briana!

Briana’s Box

Have you ever been to a hospital? You know it’s one of the least fun places you can be, especially when you’re the patient! Sicknesses, weakness, brokenness — like in Briana’s case — are difficult conditions to endure. Here’s why.

Do you remember how Briana felt when Austin had to help her with the blanket? Frustrated, right! She did not want people to think of her as a weak person who was unable to do simple things for herself. This is an attitude of self-reliance. To be self-reliant means that you believe you can do everything for yourself, without the help of anyone else. Girls who are self-reliant believe they have all the strength and power they need to get a job done by themselves.

Does this sound like anyone you know? The truth is, at one time or another, we all have demonstrated a self-reliant attitude! We dislike sickness, weakness, and brokenness because they force us to own up to the truth that we need help, destroying the wrong idea that as a human being you are enough all by yourself.

Father God actually goes against such proud, self-reliant people. On the other hand, do you remember what Briana finally said to Austin? That’s right. She dropped her head and admitted she needed help. Faithgirl, when you bow your head and admit to Father God that you need his help, he gives you the special ability to accomplish everything he wants you to do. That powerful ability is grace, a treasured gift from Father God to his sons and daughters.

Like the coolest presents always do, Father God gives you the gift of grace in a unique package. Remember the gift basket Briana got from Austin? She had never seen anything like it before. The container was unique. Can you think of anything — or better yet, anyone — who is unique to Father God? That’s right, you got it, girl! Jesus Christ.

Just as Briana’s gift from Austin came in a unique package, God gives you his grace in his unique Son, Jesus Christ. Keep in mind that Father God pours everything that he is — love, goodness, compassion, fairness, and grace — into his Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ, then, extends the grace of the Father to you.

Yet, not only to you! You are one daughter among many daughters and sons who are extended from Jesus Christ. Just like you, all God’s children receive his grace. Grace works differently in each one. That is why it is important to accept your brothers and sisters. Father God has a plan, and every one of his children has a job to do to help finish the plan. The gift of grace is what God gives us to help each of us do our own part — a part that no one else can fulfill in quite the same way. Briana would not have received her favorite muffins, delivered with a joke and smile, if it were not for Austin!

Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.

— Romans 12:4–6

Do you remember how Briana felt when she saw those doors to the waiting area open? Even though messing up in front of everyone at the half-time show bummed her out, Briana had an entire hospital waiting room full of people cheering her on toward recovery. You could say they are Briana’s team, or family. In the same way, as a beautiful daughter of Father God, you have an entire family cheering you on through the game of life as you experience ups and downs, wins and losses, blessings and tough breaks. As you see your family in God show up in your life, may you be grateful, just like Briana, knowing God has sent you help. Are you ready to learn more about your relationships with brothers and sisters in Father God’s family? Then read on, Faithgirl!

Believing with Briana

Who connected Briana with her family in the waiting room by rolling her out in the wheelchair? Right, her older sibling, Ashley! Ashley was the firstborn child of their parents. You have an older sibling — the firstborn — who connects you with the family of God too. What’s his name? Jesus, you got it!

Jesus Christ is like Briana’s sister, Ashley, in another way too. Do you remember that Ashley was unable to be physically present with Briana? She wasn’t at the hospital at first. Likewise, your big brother Jesus Christ is not present physically in this world. Jesus lived as a man until his thirties. With his death, Jesus finished the job Father God had sent him to do in the world. Father God then used his mighty power to bring Jesus back to life and seat Jesus Christ at his right-hand side on his throne in the heavenly realm.

Though Father God wanted Jesus to be with him in the heavenly place, he also desired the work of his Son, Jesus Christ, to continue, so he could have as many daughters and sons as possible. While he was alive in the world,

Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.

— Matthew 9:35

To keep the good deeds of Jesus going, Father God decided that all daughters and sons working together would serve as Jesus’s new physical body in the world. By following Jesus, you become a part of this body of Christ, learning his ways and doing what he did.

Whatever Jesus did, he did with a special attitude in his heart. Jesus’ way of doing things was with an attitude of loving self-sacrifice. That same way of doing things — in giving yourself away for someone else’s good — is how you and your sisters and brothers in the body of Christ will live now.

Having a heart committed to loving self-sacrifice meant Jesus endured some heart-wrenching conditions. Yet, he endured them because of how much he loves God the Father and you. Jesus Christ’s loving self-sacrifice caused him to suffer:

• Rejection

• Sickness

• Pain

• Piercing

• Crushing

• Discipline

• Wounding

That’s probably not an example you’re excited about following, right? You don’t want to be connected to a body that has to go through that! Well, hold on just a minute, Faithgirl. It’s not the end of Jesus’ story! Remember, he endured! Yes, he experienced it, but he also beat it in the end! Jesus was confident and reliant on Father God’s love for him. He knew that if he would commit to loving self-sacrifice, in the end he would have great joy being with the Father.

For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

— Hebrews 12:2–3

Praise Prompt

Psalm 30 describes that though tough times do come, good times are up ahead for daughters who stick with God! As you read it, think about the people you love most in your life. Consider the conditions you would endure so they could be well. Thank Father God that because you’re his daughter, your joy exceeds sorrow!

Psalm 30

I will exalt you, Lord,

for you lifted me out of the depths

and did not let my enemies gloat over me.

Lord my God, I called to you for help,

and you healed me.

You, Lord, brought me up from the realm of the dead;

you spared me from going down to the pit.

Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people;

praise his holy name.

For his anger lasts only a moment,

but his favor lasts a lifetime;

weeping may stay for the night,

but rejoicing comes in the morning.

When I felt secure, I said,

“I will never be shaken.”

Lord, when you favored me,

you made my royal mountain stand firm;

but when you hid your face,

I was dismayed.

To you, Lord, I called;

to the Lord I cried for mercy:

“What is gained if I am silenced,

if I go down to the pit?

Will the dust praise you?

Will it proclaim your faithfulness?

Hear, Lord, and be merciful to me;

Lord, be my help.”

You turned my wailing into dancing;

you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,

that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent.

Lord my God, I will praise you forever.

Now that you know that Jesus’ way of loving self-sacrifice is temporarily brutal yet blessed in the end, you’re probably beginning to understand the importance of accepting your siblings in the family of God. You need the grace that God gave them, and they need the grace that God gave you! Jesus Christ himself connected with others to help him complete the work Father God assigned to him.

While he was in the world, Jesus had followers whom Father God chose to help Jesus fulfill his purpose. In the same way, your brothers and sisters in the family of God are people he chose to assist you in getting your job done. As God’s beautiful daughter, you have inherited a huge family who is committed to your well-being and success. Father God looks to your brothers and sisters as coworkers with him who make sure you receive your:

• Practice

• Provision

• Prayer

• Produce

• Prize

Now that’s some good news! Briana’s tidbits will help you learn more about these five functions of your siblings in God’s family, so keep reading, Faithgirl. And hello there, sister! Welcome to the family of faith!

Briana’s Tidbit #1: Practice

Do you remember when Mrs. Robinson, Briana’s mom, wanted her to get some rest instead of seeing visitors? Like Briana, you probably wish that your mom would worry a little less about you, and allow you to make your own decisions. You are definitely becoming more responsible for yourself. Still, you want to make good choices that help you become the girl Father God intends, right? Then you need training and practice!

Father God will train you by giving you special members in your new family who function just like parents do. They are your brothers and sisters, yes. Yet, because they’ve been walking close to God longer than you have, they can direct and guide you the way that a mother and father do. They will gently serve you in the way a parent serves his or her own children.

Instead, we were like young children among you. Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.

— 1 Thessalonians 2:7–8

At times, you might feel that they are nagging. After all, you’re no baby! Yet, they are teaching and training you so you will be well prepared to carry out the role Father God has for you in his plan. Training is a major part of parenting.

My son, keep your father’s commands and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. Bind them always on your heart; fasten them around your neck. When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you. For this command is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and correction and instruction are the way to life.

— Proverbs 6:20–23

Daughter Deed

Do you get tired of grown-ups constantly telling you what to do? Can you do this daughter deed, Faithgirl? In the space below, write how you feel about all the things the adults you live with ask you to do. Think about how doing those things is going to help you in the future. Do your responsibilities in your home really matter? Or do you feel like doing the same thing over and over again is just a big waste of time?

Through her accident, Briana learned that doing the same thing many times is good training. Do you remember when Dr. Sutton told her it was a good thing they had practiced that basket toss so many times? If Briana had not repeatedly practiced catching Isa, she would have dropped her on the floor. Not good. The accident would have been much worse than it was. Yet, because Briana had performed that same stunt many times, it was a habit. Catching Isa was her natural response, instead of letting her friend crash to the ground.

Faithgirl, without proper practice and training, your decisions and choices will leave you crashing down to the ground and your life spiraling out of Father God’s loving control. You may think it useless repeating tasks and assignments that your older siblings in your faith family tell you to do. Does Bree’s accident change your mind? Instead, remember that your family is actually helping you establish wise thoughts and ways that lead to life.

Most of all remember, they’re doing it because they love you.

Briana’s Tidbit #2: Provision

Do you remember when Briana was trying to get all cute before her visitors came in? Her mother had lovingly packed Briana’s duffle bag, filling it with everything she would need while she was in the hospital. That’s because loving you includes providing for you. It was important to Mrs. Robinson that Briana had the resources she needed.

Supplying what you need is one of Father God’s top priorities too. He wants to meet all of your needs, both physical and spiritual. Often, your sisters and brothers in the body of Christ are his instruments for providing the resources you need. Sharing is one of the best benefits of belonging to the family of God.

Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.

— Acts 4:32 (NKJV)

And you thought it was just a reminder for two-year-olds! Think again, Faithgirl! God wants his family members to share with one another, so that none of his children goes without the necessities of life. Let’s face it, there are some basic things, like food, clothing, and shelter, that we all need to survive in our physical world. Father God expects his daughters and sons to distribute those resources to all people who are in need of them, and especially to people who are siblings in his family.

Daughter, You Decide

With so many choices these days, it’s probably tough knowing the difference between a genuine need and a desire. A need is something you must have in order to exist. A want, or desire, is something you’d like to have, yet is unnecessary for your survival. What matters most to you? What matters most to Father God?

Do you have a responsibility to secure the resources you need to survive? Of course you do! When you talk about what you want to become when you grow up, it shows that God is already giving you ideas about how you will become a productive, resourceful woman. Not much longer and you’ll get to it, girl! As you keep walking with Father God, you will become a mature daughter, who he blesses with so many resources that you have enough for yourself and to share with others. Until then, trust Father God. Remember he has adopted you into the family that includes your big brother, Jesus Christ, and deposited all you will ever need in him.

Briana’s Tidbit #3: Prayer

Speaking of big brothers, Briana learned that having a big brother around can come in handy. Do you remember when Austin’s dad, Pastor Thomas, walked into Briana’s hospital room? He had little to say and assured Briana that he intended to stay briefly. That’s because he was most interested in praying for Briana’s recovery. He asked Father God to provide the healing that Briana needed in her leg, so she could return to the work of leading her squad.

In God’s family, one of the most significant things your sisters and brothers will do for you is pray. You have sisters and brothers whose number one priority is to pray for you. Like Pastor Thomas, these siblings understand that when you walk closely with God, your prayers are powerful and they work! Pastor Thomas wasted little time but got right down to the business of communicating with Father God. Your praying siblings know that lengthy words are unimpressive to the Father. He sees you at all times, and he knows what you need before you utter one word anyway! The brother who loves praying for you more than any other, Jesus Christ, said you should pray like this:

“ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ “

— Matthew 6:9–13

What else did Pastor Thomas do? Right! He directed everyone else in the room to encircle Briana and join in praying. Faithgirl, you can pray by yourself, and your heavenly Father will hear you and respond. He loves you just that much. But guess what? The force of praying sisters and brothers is greater. Father God’s ultimate desire is for a family, a large community of children who love him. Though he starts with just one person, his hope is that the one will expand to include many, many more people. So when two or three of his kids get together to pray about things affecting the family, he gets excited! In fact, he’s so thrilled that he uses all his power to do what they ask of him!

“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

— Matthew 18:19–20

Briana’s Tidbit #4: Produce

Two-three was starting to become someone special to Briana. You do remember who that is, don’t you? Yep, you got it, one Austin Thomas. Initially, she seemed to care little for Austin. But, through her unfortunate accident and hospitalization, she was learning that sometimes bad situations actually bring out the best of what is inside of you — and other people you thought you knew.

When Austin showed up in Briana’s room, it taught her that she really didn’t know him at all. It surprised her that he even cared whether she was all right. Yet, as she stared at him standing at the foot of her bed with that silly ketchup stain on his jersey, she realized Austin really was concerned about her. The compassion he showed her by bringing her a basket full of mini-muffins and fruit made her heart thaw from the frost that kept her from liking him.

Producing fruit is another thing brothers and sisters in the body of Christ help you do. Not the fruit that was in Briana’s basket, though! The kind of fruit that comes from being God’s daughter. It’s called fruit of the Spirit. Fruit of the Spirit are the character traits God’s presence in your life causes to grow inside of you and flow from your heart. You can most clearly see the fruit of the spirit in the way you relate to other people, especially during difficult times. That’s why when Austin showed Briana compassion, she was able to treat him gently. Despite his stupid jokes and her tough exterior, he’s a caring individual, and she’s gentler.

Father God uses tough times like Briana’s injury to highlight the areas in your heart that are unlike his. He also uses people who think and feel differently than you do to show you where there are weeds and rotten fruit instead of fruit of his spirit! Even during unpleasant circumstances with imperfect people (which all of us except for Jesus Christ are!) as his daughter, Father God is cultivating these nine qualities to flow from your heart to your brothers and sisters, and even those people who are not in the family of faith:

• Love

• Joy

• Peace

• Patience

• Kindness

• Goodness

• Faithfulness

• Gentleness

• Self-control

Got fruit? Fantastic, Faithgirl! Fruit of the Spirit is sweet indeed, but the prize of Father God is better! Read Briana’s last tidbit to learn why!

Briana’s Tidbit #5: Prize

Briana learned that having a big sister like Ashley around does come in handy. Do you remember when Briana grabbed her sister’s hand before they went into the waiting room to see everyone? She was feeling uneasy about what was in front of her, looming on the other side of those intimidating double doors. Briana was embarrassed, thinking her accident a clumsy mistake. Ashley reassured Briana that no one was looking to belittle her, but that the waiting room was full of folks who were there to support her. Then Ashley pushed Briana through to the crowd — with all of their gifts and gratitude — on the other side.

Faithgirl, what it means to be Father God’s beautiful daughter is that there’s a reward for you too! You have an inheritance waiting for you in the heavenly realm where Father God is now. Like Ashley rolling Briana in the wheelchair toward the waiting room, you just need a change of perspective, some encouraging words, and a little push from a brother or sister to help you receive it.

Your new family helps you see things the way Father God sees them. Sometimes, especially when you’re not feeling like your best, you can focus on all the wrong things. You may dwell on the pain or embarrassment you feel, instead of the goodness of God that is in every situation. In Briana’s case, she considered herself a klutz, but she really saved Isa’s life — truly, a phenomenal deed in God’s eyes! Jessica and Dr. Sutton helped her see it that way. Because your brothers and sisters are also following Jesus Christ to the Father, they can help you see things as God does when your feelings are clouding your perspective.

Relying on your feelings is a surefire way to defeat. Seriously, Faithgirl! How many times a day do your feelings change? Exactly, too many to count! Sometimes you need some help silencing those negative, false thoughts about who you are. God can use your brothers and sisters to replace those wrong thoughts with his thoughts about you.

Father God gave you sisters and brothers in the body of Christ to speak encouraging words to you. While Briana’s feelings caused her to mistakenly believe the visitors were judging her for taking a fall, Ashley shared the truth that they all wanted to see her stand up strong again.

Sometimes you might feel like you’re the punch line of a cruel joke. Yet, in Father God’s family, no one is laughing at you when you fall. Truth is, we all fall many times, Faithgirl! What distinguishes a daughter of God, though, is that she gets back up again and again, because she’s got brothers and sisters telling her the truth.

So, get on up, girl! You’re God’s child, and with a little push from your siblings in the family of faith, you’re on your way to get a marvelous prize. What was waiting on the other side of those doors? Gifts galore! Balloons, candy, flowers, fruit baskets! What more could Briana get? Much more. What mattered most was the love and grateful heart of another person, and the acknowledgement that Briana had done a great job.

Make no mistake about it; your heavenly reward is great when you’re a daughter of God. But the greatest of them all is love. When in the heavenly place with Father God, on the other side of your disappointments, sickness, negative feelings, and hard circumstances of life, the part of your inheritance that means the most is the voice of Father God saying, “Well done, daughter!”

Beginning with Briana

Hopefully, you’re finished trying to get things done with your own strength, and by yourself! Briana has given you many reasons to follow Jesus Christ and rely only on the grace of Father God instead. By now, you also know that as a part of the body of Jesus Christ, you have many brothers and sisters cheering you on to victory! So, what’s next?

Start just like Briana did. Ask Father God to send you some help. Briana had suffered a humiliating tumble to the ground, but the ultimate result was good for her. Had she not hit the ground and broken her leg, she might not have cried out to God for help. That desperate cry for help from the Father set off a chain of encounters with Father God and the people in her life that blessed her in ways she could not have imagined. Here’s why.

When you ask Father God to send someone to help you, he does. Father God loves us so much that everyone who asks gets what he or she asks! So when you ask Father God for someone to help you, that is exactly who you get — the person the Father has assigned to be a helper. That someone is his Holy Spirit.

As your advocate, the Holy Spirit starts teaching you and making things clear to you, especially the ways and thoughts of Jesus Christ. Gradually you begin seeing things differently, just as Briana did. In the end, you will find that by the power of his Holy Spirit teaching you, Father God is able to make changes in your heart that you never even dreamed about — like Briana being kind to a certain pesky newcomer to Live Oak Junior High!

Daughter, Declare Your Prayer

Father, thank you for my big brother, Jesus Christ! I am grateful for the love that you pour out on him and extend to me. Father, send me your help. I want to live by your grace. Teach me to rely only on you to accomplish my part in your plan. Please direct me to my sisters and brothers in your family. I’m excited about receiving them just as you received me!