Family Ties

It’s been two weeks since I returned from a visit to the Midwest after having been away from there for nearly three years. Other than some travel adventures on the way, we had a good trip to Kansas City and while Brian journeyed on to Indy, I stayed the week with my brother and sister-in-law and was able to visit with nieces and nephews (the little ones having grown inches, literally).

My brother took me to visit a first cousin we had not seen for several years and it was great to re-connect with her. She is the only one in our father’s family who has had the interest, time and intelligence to research the genealogical roots of that side of our family and that fact, in itself, gave us a great deal to talk about.

Musing on family ties, particularly around Memorial Day weekend, brings bittersweet memories of dearly beloved family members who have passed from this existence to a new and better one. The bitter part of bitter-sweet is selfish on my part as those loved ones have left a hole in my heart and life. But the sweet part of bitter-sweet is knowing that each one of these much loved family members are no longer suffering any physical pain or mental heartaches now. And as the greatest bonus, they are all in the presence of Jesus, a wondrous joy that we, who are still living in our “earth-suits” can only catch a glimpse, occasionally.

Family ties get even better if you happen to be a follower of Christ. The family circle is increased exponentially when you make the decision to put Christ in the center of your life. Not only do you immediately have a Savior, a Lover of your soul and a sin-load Bearer, but you have brothers and sisters who have made that same decision. Brothers and sisters you can reach out and touch literally as well as brothers and sisters all over planet Earth.

Discounting familial apron strings—family connections can be awesome. I know not everyone has been as blessed as I have been with “blood-kin” but the family of God just can’t be beat—and all a person needs to do is ask for that gift. Thank You, Lord!