As a young child, I loved it when relatives came to visit or when we visited them. These people belonged to us and we belonged to them. We didn’t choose one another—that was decided for us. And yes, as I grew up, I did discover that some relatives were perhaps less enjoyable to be with than others! Come to think of it, they probably thought much the same about me!
I was (and am) fortunate enough to have a great older sister, yet it felt good to have that extended family out there as well. I remember one cousin in particular who was happy to play with my sister and me whenever we visited their family or they us. Together, we would have wonderful, imaginative adventures and plan out special concerts which our longsuffering parents had to endure as we shared our talents with them!
But I am so thankful I belong to another special, extremely extended family. Recently, I took a friend with me to a group some distance from Sydney where I was to speak. This group was from a different church denomination and my friend knew none of the women there. Yet as we drove home, she commented:
‘It’s amazing, isn’t it, how even though I hadn’t met any of these women before, there was an instant connection. It makes a real difference when we are all part of God’s family.’
Since then, I have had cause to think about her statement further as I have spoken at several other venues, inside and outside our own denomination, as well as at one interdenominational group. At the meeting with this latter group, people came to chat to me who remembered me from past connections or who knew one of our children or some mutual friend. One lady, on reading my latest book Soul Friend, had discovered it was about my relationship with my spiritual mentor Joy, whom she had known many, many years ago in another Christian context. She was so delighted to meet me as a result. In this instance in particular, but also in the other connections made that day, I realised again how blessed I am to belong to the huge, multi-faceted family of God. We might have our different ways of worshipping or meeting together. We might even sadly disagree about various issues at times within our own local church family. Yet despite that, something very deep and lasting binds us together in a unique way. And that something—or rather Someone—is the very Spirit of God who lives in each one of us through our faith in Jesus Christ. We are brothers and sisters. We are family.
I love Paul’s heart for this family of God and for the passionate way he challenges us to care for one another and stay united. In Ephesians 4:3-6, we read:
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called—one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
It is a precious thing to belong to God’s family. May we never take this lightly but do all we can to continue loving, caring for and building one another up as we are able and as God has gifted us to do.
Thank you Jo- Anne, for your very refreshing message and it is very True The Family of God is very Special, and you are a dear Sister in our Family, so we would like to offer you an Award (see link below) it’s more like a blessing as there are no rules, it’s just our way of saying thank you for being part of our Family in Christ Jesus.
Blog Post – http://freedomborn.wordpress.com/2011/12/15/the-king-of-kings-friendship-award/
As you also shared Jo- Anne, when we look back we can remember special Aunties and Uncles, it was even more special for me to have Aunties and Uncles as I was Adopted and never knew all my birth ones. My Brothers and Sisters that I had after I was Adopted pushed me away when I started going to Church and later became a Christian, so did my Mother who is an Atheist at least in her head, I’m not sure about her heart, we remain in contact but there is no real closeness now but I so wish there was.
To be honest my Family is my Christian Blogging friends now, you and others I have meet Blogging, I do have other Friends who I Love deeply and also Church friends from over the years that have been a real blessing and some still are but when I read Blogging messages and respond, I feel deep Christ like Love for those I share with and who also welcome my closeness through Blogging as we share together our ups and downs and also our heart thoughts, although I wish it was the same with everyone, I realise others may not feel the same.
Thank you for sharing from your heart Jo-Anne and for allowing me to express mine, you make me feel wanted, that I’m not just a Number to you.
Christian Love from both of us – Anne
Thanks for my beautiful award/blessing, Anne! I just read it and clicked ‘Like’. A lovely thought. You belong to the best family ever, Anne–the family of God. I think I have mentioned Isaiah 43:1 before and perhaps you have too:
‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.’ You belong to God and you belong in the family of God, which is wonderful. God bless.
Lovely thoughts, JoAnne & so true
Thanks, Rita. God bless–hope everything’s going well for you.