Who Is An Aunt

God sets the lonely in families.

HAVE YOU HEARD THE POPULAR SAYING that it takes a village to raise a child? My daughter often remarks that in this day and age, the joke is, “I’m still waiting for my village to show up. Do I call them, or do they call me?”

As I was growing up in the sixties in my big Italian family, it took the aunts, the nanas, and the first, second, and third cousins to help raise all the kids. Back then, everyone who wasn’t a nana was called “Aunt,” even if they were your cousin twice removed or your momma’s best friend. If they were a female adult and you were a child, you addressed this person as “Aunt.” Each one seemed to have something special to contribute to my life.

There was the aunt who helped me learn to sew, a fantastic gift I have used so many times. Another aunt gifted me with back-to-school shoes that I still think of and am grateful for to this day. I had one aunt who helped me get my first job at a restaurant. My aunts provided guidance, love, and support.

One of the greatest gifts I ever received from an aunt was a Bible and the gospel message. At the time, I did not know that the wonderful story of salvation in the Bible was personal. I had no idea that Jesus’s death, burial, and resurrection were for me. It was this aunt who showed me John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” She completely changed my life and is one reason I’m writing this book with my daughter today.

Mommas, we are part of other people’s stories. Whether or not you have nieces of your own, you are an “auntie” in someone else’s life. You are an “aunt” by birth or by your choice to be part of the village that is helping children become the wonderful people they are destined to be.

Perhaps you don’t have a close family, or perhaps you live far away from them. In the Psalms, we read that “God sets the lonely in families.” What a beautiful thought! Even the lonely can find close relationships within a family. In other words, those precious relationships can be created right where you are, and the Lord can orchestrate them for you! He loves you so much that He didn’t only send His Son for you, He also sent you His family. Tonight let’s pause to be grateful for all the “aunts” in our lives.

Tonight we pray for every aunt, auntie, tia, zia, and great-aunt who makes our children’s lives so much richer by being in them. She may be called ___________________. Her love and devotion, care and concern, huge heart and helping hands bring so much fun and joy to us. We are so grateful for her hospitality and help. Lord, remind us of the important role we play as aunts in the lives of those in our community. Help us point others to You, and help us be a blessing.

We ask in Jesus’s name, amen.

Father, thank you for these aunts and special women in my kids’ lives: