A family is people
who care when you are sad,
who love you no matter what,
who share your triumphs,
who don’t expect you to be perfect,

Open us up to your boundless love
that we may be open to the places in our lives
where you are stooping down to wash our feet
so we may wash the feet of others.

Teach us to listen and not be afraid to trust
as you did in God’s promise.

Fast from hurting words and say kind things.
Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude.
Fast from anger and be filled with patience.
Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope.