I have been
feeling blessed by my family lately. I’m not a live down the block, family dinner
every weekend, call my mom every day type of person. I’ve always been way too
independent for that type of thing. But I do have an amazing family and I feel overwhelming blessed by my relationships with them.
feeling blessed by my family lately. I’m not a live down the block, family dinner
every weekend, call my mom every day type of person. I’ve always been way too
independent for that type of thing. But I do have an amazing family and I feel overwhelming blessed by my relationships with them.
Not only do
I have a best friend/sister, an awesome little brother and loving parents
who are about to celebrate their 34th wedding anniversary, but I
also have the treat of living by my aunt, uncle and cousins now that we’ve
moved to Arizona. We don’t get to see them all the time, but we usually spend
holidays with them along with a few other visits throughout the year. This fall I am
planning to do a triathlon with my cousin, Leah. She is a pro. I have never
done one. Pray for me…
I have a best friend/sister, an awesome little brother and loving parents
who are about to celebrate their 34th wedding anniversary, but I
also have the treat of living by my aunt, uncle and cousins now that we’ve
moved to Arizona. We don’t get to see them all the time, but we usually spend
holidays with them along with a few other visits throughout the year. This fall I am
planning to do a triathlon with my cousin, Leah. She is a pro. I have never
done one. Pray for me…
My family…
All the cousins on my dad’s side together for this first time in years this past Christmas…
And Micah’s
family is an added bonus to being married. Micah’s sister, Kayla, lives with us
and we love it. We want her to live with us forever! And although I’ve heard plenty
of mother-in-law horror stories, mine is the greatest. We get along well and
she inspires me constantly with her faith and wisdom. Micah also has a rockin’
little sis and a little brother who is getting married to one of my favorite
girls in the whole world this summer, so add another amazing sister to the
list! So excited to celebrate their wedding in Washington this August!
family is an added bonus to being married. Micah’s sister, Kayla, lives with us
and we love it. We want her to live with us forever! And although I’ve heard plenty
of mother-in-law horror stories, mine is the greatest. We get along well and
she inspires me constantly with her faith and wisdom. Micah also has a rockin’
little sis and a little brother who is getting married to one of my favorite
girls in the whole world this summer, so add another amazing sister to the
list! So excited to celebrate their wedding in Washington this August!
Can’t wait for these two to get married!
Headed to Stomp with MIL and SIL…
Then Micah
has cousins upon cousins, many of whom have become close friends. I became blog friends with some of his girl cousins in the Midwest before I even
met them in person last Thanksgiving. And Micah’s best friend/cousin, Josh,
happened to marry a darling English teacher named Brittney and I love her with
all my heart.
has cousins upon cousins, many of whom have become close friends. I became blog friends with some of his girl cousins in the Midwest before I even
met them in person last Thanksgiving. And Micah’s best friend/cousin, Josh,
happened to marry a darling English teacher named Brittney and I love her with
all my heart.
One of our favorite couples to hang out with…
This is not
to brag that my family is so great… They are
great, but we have our ups and downs like any other family. I have lots of
relatives that I hardly see and cousins I wish I knew better. I should call my
little brother more often and I could be sweeter to my mother from time to
time.
to brag that my family is so great… They are
great, but we have our ups and downs like any other family. I have lots of
relatives that I hardly see and cousins I wish I knew better. I should call my
little brother more often and I could be sweeter to my mother from time to
time.
But,
overall, both Micah and I are abundantly blessed by families that love us, pray
for us {his grandparents pray for every grandchild by name every day}, encourage us… and are just plain fun to be around… Thank you, Jesus.
overall, both Micah and I are abundantly blessed by families that love us, pray
for us {his grandparents pray for every grandchild by name every day}, encourage us… and are just plain fun to be around… Thank you, Jesus.
But maybe
your family isn’t so great. Maybe your heritage is fraught with fighting,
divorce, and brokenness. I don’t want to tell that it’s okay. It’s not okay. You have probably experienced hurt, betrayal, and hopelessness that I will never
understand. And that’s wrong.
your family isn’t so great. Maybe your heritage is fraught with fighting,
divorce, and brokenness. I don’t want to tell that it’s okay. It’s not okay. You have probably experienced hurt, betrayal, and hopelessness that I will never
understand. And that’s wrong.
But I am
here to tell you that there is another family for you… far better than your
earthly family, even if your family is pretty great.
here to tell you that there is another family for you… far better than your
earthly family, even if your family is pretty great.
If you are
in Christ, you are a part of a spiritual family. The family of God. One of my
favorite Bible verses is this…
in Christ, you are a part of a spiritual family. The family of God. One of my
favorite Bible verses is this…
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
Romans 8:28-29
No matter
how great my family is, there are times when I feel downcast and hurt by people or circumstances around me. It is in these moments that I remember that Jesus is my
big brother. As the oldest child, I’ve never experienced what it’s like to have
a big brother who loves me, protects me, believes in me, encourages me, and advocates
on my behalf. I like to imagine what that would be like, because I know that is
exactly what Jesus does for me at the right hand of God in heaven. And someday,
he’s coming back for me… like a big brother who protects his little sister from her
enemies or rescues her from trouble on the playground… I’m not trying to sound
cheesy, but I know that there is a special bond between an older brother and his
little sister, and it’s one I delight in picturing with Christ.
how great my family is, there are times when I feel downcast and hurt by people or circumstances around me. It is in these moments that I remember that Jesus is my
big brother. As the oldest child, I’ve never experienced what it’s like to have
a big brother who loves me, protects me, believes in me, encourages me, and advocates
on my behalf. I like to imagine what that would be like, because I know that is
exactly what Jesus does for me at the right hand of God in heaven. And someday,
he’s coming back for me… like a big brother who protects his little sister from her
enemies or rescues her from trouble on the playground… I’m not trying to sound
cheesy, but I know that there is a special bond between an older brother and his
little sister, and it’s one I delight in picturing with Christ.
So whether your family is horrible, broken, amazing, distant, abusive, uplifting, suffocating… there is another family waiting for you if you are in Christ. Maybe it includes your own earthly family, but it is so much bigger than that. Jesus is your brother and God is your Father and there are countless others who do “the will of God” and will be your joyful, loving family for eternity. Rejoice in that, sister.
Linking up to Call Me Blessed.
I love hearing about families that are so close, it is just so rare these days ya know?? I am the talk to my mom everyday see them every few days kind of gal haha. That is awesome you get along with your SIL really well!! Jon is not really close with his mom and she lives in Ohio…I only met her once and she didn't come to our wedding and Jon's dad passed away the summer we met so it was hard for me at first to come to the fact that I wouldn't have in laws but my sister's in laws love me like a daughter and I am so grateful for that! They are family to me!
That's so great that your family is, well, great! 🙂 Your post reminded me to call my mom today 🙂
Thank you for being faithful to bring the gospel into so many of your posts. You are one of the most faithful bloggers to do so, I think! And I appreciate that your posts are practical and realistic and not just "here is my thinking spiritual thoughts" or whatever. Thank you, and God bless!
it is such a blessing to have a family that is supportive and loving!!
love it. i was also blessed with great in laws. <3