A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families.

~Psalm 68:5-6 NIV

After my horse Frank’s mother died, he was very lonely. He needed a new family.

Frank and his mother had spent ten years together and formed their own family unit. Now, she was gone, and he was alone. He moped about for weeks and seemed to lose all interest in life. When let out of the corral onto our fenced acreage to graze, he was fearful and stayed close to the corral. We had three goats and a pack of dogs, but he shunned their company.

Not until a grizzly bear threatened our property did things change. The goats needed protection, and Frank realized that only he and the dogs could provide it. At that moment, he chose to join the canine pack and confront the grizzly, who, knowing he was outnumbered, fled into the forest. From that time forward, Frank moved out of his grief and into a strong relationship with the goats and the dogs as his new family.

God cares when we grieve and find ourselves alone in life. He knows the hole that has been left in our hearts when loved ones are lost and the depression that can so easily overtake us amidst such loss. But He does more than know; He cares. He cares so much that He does something about it: He sets the lonely in families. This is a promise. Like Frank, however, we need to embrace the new family He sets before us.

We do not have to despair when grieving. We can cling to the truth that God sets the lonely in families. The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those crushed in spirit. He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds. Healing is happening even now, although it may not feel like it. One day at a time, the darkness will recede a little more. The light will begin to shine as we trust and cling to the one who loves us and will never leave nor forsake us.

When our hearts are ready, God will prepare a new family relationship for us. It will never take the place of that which we have lost, for nothing ever can. It may even be far different than we could ever imagine, but it will be good, right, and lovely. Our new family will meet the needs of our hearts and grant us the joy, companionship, and love that God knows we each crave and need.

Ask God to prepare your heart to accept the good gift that, in His time, will come your way.

Thank You, Lord, for healing the broken-hearted and saving the crushed in spirit. Thank You for setting the lonely in families. Prepare the hearts of those who grieve because of the loss of family to accept the good gift of a new family relationship that You will bring their way. In Christ’s name, amen.

 

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2026: A New Family: Lynne Phipps: All Rights Reserved.