Family

Yesterday was a sad day for our family. Shane's grandmother passed away this past Friday and her funeral was yesterday. She was the last grandmother for Shane's family and the last great-grandmother for my kids. The day was rainy and somber. In the worst way possible and with no other words to describe it, the day was the perfect set up for a funeral. Overcast, a slight breeze, drizzle off and on, etc.

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When we first arrived at the funeral home very few people were there. We greeted the few family members that had already arrived and then found our place in the corner. Shane walked around talking but Kristina, Jason (Kristina's boyfriend), Gabe and myself just ended up sitting in the lobby. It wasn't that we did not want to participate but we knew no one. Don't get me wrong, we met people while we were there but overall I would have to say that we did the notorious stand, smile, shake, nod and sit routine.

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As I sat there in the lobby I watched everyone. As people drifted in the door Kristina would look at me with this look of "Who is that?" on her face and each time I shrugged. Sometimes we would eventually figure out who they belonged to or learned their name but often they remained a stranger to us the entire time. How bizarre...family who is nothing more than a stranger.

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Naturally, this got me thinking last night and again this morning. The moment you accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of your life you have a huge family! You have brothers and sisters, a wonderful Father and the greatest family to the point that there are no words to describe it! "Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God..." John 1:12 (NIV).

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It doesn't matter if you recognize the face, if you know the name, what does matter is that we are all one family. When one feels hurt we all feel hurt. When one rejoices we all rejoice! Things of this earth are just that...things of this earth but, our brothers and sisters through Christ are our eternal family! Are you a part of that family...God's family? Do you know that if you closed your eyes at this very moment and took your last breath that you would greet your brothers and sisters in glory? Do you know that beyond a shadow of a doubt? If not, why not? Are you a member of God's family but you have someone close to your heart who isn't? Our Daddy is tugging at their heart...Daddy hears your worries! Don't give up...continue to pray for them, with them, over them.