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You Can Choose Your Family

                 My sister had a milestone birthday this week, so Sara, the girls and I decided that it would be fun to go to Moose Jaw and celebrate with her.  In the end, thirteen of us went out for supper and then a few more joined us for cake and coffee at my mom’s place.  I am fortunate to have close relationships with my immediate family.
                However, outside of that immediate family, I do not know many of my relatives.  In fact, I have cousins in Moose Jaw that I have not seen in years.  Families are not always close.  Sometimes the problem is physical distance. Other times, circumstances and events create relational distance, but the fact is that we do not always have what we need.  Fortunately, your biological family does not have to be your only family.  You can choose to include others and find the pieces that you are missing. 
After living in Estevan for almost thirty years, I can honestly say that the church here is more than my employer.  They knew me when I was single.  They celebrated when Sara and got married.  They rejoiced when our girls were born.  They honoured our girls, and many others, as they graduated from High School and headed to university.  My kids have all kinds of aunts and uncles, grandma and grandpas here.  Over the years, Sara and I have been practically adopted by several people who have acted as parents for us because we were away from our own.  None of these people are blood relatives, but they are family none-the-less.
In the past, it used to be customary for church members to refer to one another as brother and sister as in, “Hello, Sister Johnson!”   While I am not advocating that we go back to using those exact titles again, I believe there is something beautiful and good about acknowledging the connection we share in Christ.  We do not just go to church together.  We are family.
Psalm 68:6 says, “God sets the lonely in families”. 
I hope that your biological family is close, loving and supportive.  However, whether it is or not, I know another family where you can find a place of love, connection and support.
You are always welcome here.   

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