Grafted by Grace: Finding Family in the Body of Christ

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 children, 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 still feels like a journey of waiting and discovery!).

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. 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.

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. 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:
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.

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.

Even in suffering, we can hold onto hope. Paul reminds us in 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.