Family

What makes up family? I think of the incredible family I have. How they are always there for me. They love and support me, they stand by me through everything, even in times where they don't agree with me when I look up they are there. I look at the encouragement and the Champions my sister and her family are to me and all I do. Their love grounds me and lifts me up to persevere. How my brother and his family are there to scheme with on potential financial endevours or to just laugh with and enjoy each others company. How my parents encourage and support and would drop everything to come help if the need arose. How my extended family, Aunts, Uncles, and cousins rally behind me in so many diverse ways. How blessed I am to have my family. Then I think of the others in my life. My friends and Christian bothers and sisters I have met along the way. How rich my life is to have them all. Daily I meet new people and daily I see how vast the love of God is. How family is not just those with whom we were born to but all people we choose to love and invest in. Family is not just my parents or siblings but my new friend in Papua New Guinea, my friends in Thailand, Kenya, South Africa, Haiti, and India. Family are friends in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, and Florida. Family is everywhere and I am so blessed that there are far more names and places than I could ever list on this blog.

Family is loving one another unconditionally as God loves us. This last weekend I had the opportunity to spend time in Michigan with some of the people I love. How wonderful to share time, rejoicing and in fellowship with them.

May you know the love of Christ and may the knowledge of the the fact that you were born into a greater family, that of Jesus Christ, give you strength, comfort, and encouragement to help you become all you were created to be.