Family

What is family? Who are family? In a word, it's 'blood'. It runs from generation to generation, right through each person's DNA, like a family fingerprint. I have done some Family Tree research, and there is a blood line to follow when looking for ancestors. In a sense, it doesn't matter if someone in a marriage has been remarried, because the blood line can still be traced.

Another good thing is that, in the event that someone has been adopted, there is a clear and undeniable link to their new family. In the eyes of the law they are treated in the same way as 'blood' family. I like that. Not just because it helps me to find family who have gone before, and that can be full, or half, or adopted ancestors, but because it speaks to me of a higher and greater worth we all enjoy in our Heavenly Father through the blood of the Son of God. I love these verses:

And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. 2 Cor 6:18 (KJV)

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ. Romans 8:15-17 (KJV)

It is good to belong to a close knit physical family, where we can enjoy all the benefits of loving parents, but I feel it is so much better to be part of the greater Family of God, where we can all find peace and release to be ourselves, along with all those other brothers and sisters who are doing the same thing, in Christ. There is a dimension to our heavenly family that can not easily be described. It cuts across the boundaries of time, distance, colour, creed, age and finds a unique and common ground in our Faith and love of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

I will be the first to admit that I have been privileged to have been loved and reared in a Godly family unit, and have tried to do the same thing with our own children, but that is not the whole story. Without the added dimension of God's love in our lives, something here on this earth is missing. We can see evidence of that all around us, if we just take the time to look. So, thanks are due to my Mum and Dad, for their earthly love and care, but also for their Godly example. Without that vital piece, who knows how I would have turned out, and from there, our own children?

Next time you question God, or wonder if this Christian life is of any value, think again, and thank God for the honour of being placed in the greatest mission field in the world, your home. Your Family!!