I used to think the “perfect family” was comprised of two boys and two girls. After all, my dad’s family, my mom’s family, and the family I grew up in all had two boys and two girls. It seemed balanced, fun, and just right in every way. It was the family I had always expected to have. And once my husband and I had two boys and one girl, I figured all I had to do was go ahead and have that second girl. Sound a little willful?

Well, our “second girl” turned out to be twin boys! And that’s not all—later, I had another boy before I learned an important spiritual lesson about family: that human willfulness does not bring increased happiness or satisfaction to our lives.

Having prayed about family over the years, I have come to see more clearly that true family is the intrinsic spiritual relationship of God and His children. It is the tender union of the all-loving divine Parent and His beloved daughters and sons, bound together eternally in a relationship of love. This divine idea of family, which includes home and harmony, comforts, strengthens, and embraces us all.