I received the news of the passing of my sweet Sister-in-law’s Mother, and couldn’t help but be saddened knowing the emotion she will experience from this loss. We only spent bits of time with her mom at family gatherings throughout the years, and I didn’t really know her on a personal level; but I watched her youngest daughter not only care about, but care for her mother, and the beauty of her selflessness is certainly a reflection of the Godly home she grew up in.
There are ten children in her family. Yes, I said ten; and “close blood relatives" number almost one hundred! While attending the viewing we heard various people sharing their affiliation and fond memories; and one women in particular was asked if she was a family member. All I heard her say, because she continued walking in another direction was, “Oh, not by blood”. I would have loved to hear what exactly she meant. I didn’t think about that statement again until I found myself lying in bed unable to fall asleep.
I too have many, “Oh, not by blood” family members. I smiled as I thought about the people whose friendships have changed my life, those who no matter how long it’s been we’re able to reconnect the moment we begin talking; and those whom we connect so well that I really believe somehow one of us was taken away at birth.
It was at that moment, I realized something else. I have countless, “unbiological, but still connected by blood family”; and almost instantly, the tension I was feeling began to fade. You see, those whom are believers in the saving power of the Cross; well, we’re eternally connected by the blood of Christ. This bond isn’t broken by how many miles apart we may be; nor does it grow weaker if we attend different churches. Our connection is a cord of three strands that cannot be broken because we have the common ground of Jesus, and there’s nothing stronger. So although I may not see my “unbiological, but still connected by blood family” quite as often as I used to, we are still family; and we have the promise of Eternity to look forward to.
“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”
0 Comments