I grew up in a “traditional” family, and am now “co-parenting” in one of my kids’ (two) single-parent homes. It is not how I would have written the script, but it has certainly helped show me clearly the many faces of family…and the importance of being connected to one!
By definition a family may be
- the parent(s) and child(ren) living in the same household…, or perhaps
- “a group of people united by certain convictions or common affiliation” (thank you, Merriam-Webster!)
Either way, I realize have been greatly blessed. Nearly every day at work, I find someone who has no one they can call to help them out in an emergency. No family-of-origin. No Friends. No Church family. No one.
Even though my family-of-origin lives far away, I have other “family” nearby that I can – and do – call. Frequently. (And vice versa!)
We swap childcare and car rides, mechanical knowledge and medical knowledge. We send prayer requests and praises. We talk and we listen. We speak truth and we rebuke lies. We give and we receive. We love one another in very tangible ways.
I am reminded, in all of this, of the call for each of us to use our skills and talents to serve one another in 1 Peter 4:10:
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace”
and of Jesus’ explanation to His disciples in John 13:35:
“By this all people will know that you’re my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Each has a talent and a gift to share. And, in service to one another, we are able to give (and receive) His love. This is what others will see, and how they will know we are His disciples; that we love one another.
We’re God’s family. May the world be able to see it clearly in the way we love and serve one another.
“We’re Family! It’s What We Do!”