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.

Comments

The Art of Noticing.... Seeing what we need to see and what we miss when we don't

What we focus on in life matters. Here are some scriptural reminders that will help us see correctly. https://youtu.be/Rn76tV0ZH8s

Consider This.... Which Way Are You Leaning?

When Ben Patterson agreed to join three friends climbing Mount Lyell, the highest point in Yosemite National Park, he did not realize what he was signing up for. Early in the day, it became clear that he was completely unprepared for the task. In an effort to keep up with his more experienced friends, Ben took a shortcut. It did not occur to him that there might be a reason the others had not selected this route, but he soon found out why. Ben became stuck on the glacier. He could not move up, down or sideways and one wrong move would send him sliding down a forty-five-degree slope to the valley floor miles below. That is when one of his friends came to the rescue. His buddy leaned over the edge and carved some footholds in the ice. He told Ben to step to the first foothold and immediately swing his other foot to the second, then his buddy would pull him to safety. Lastly, his friend gave him one more piece of advice....

Consider This: The Biggest Problem Is Not Out There!

In a time when everyone has a vocal opinion on everything and judgment is everywhere, maybe we need to reconsider the words of Jesus. “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye” (Matthew 7:3-5). Here are two observations to consider. First, when we look for what others are doing wrong, we are starting in the wrong place. “Take the log out of your eye” is the first move. Start with yourself! It is easy to judge others and make excuses for ourselves. Yet, that is completely backwards! If we are honest, we never get past making ourselves better. There is always more to do. This, then, leaves very little time to point out...

Consider this

Subscribe

Get new posts by email:

Search This Blog