Monday, February 20, 2012

BAND OF BROTHERS (AND SISTERS)

I've just spent the last few days with some of my family members.

We had a series of family meetings – so we accomplished some "business"but mostly we just had fun!!

Some family background…

My dad was the oldest of two boys, and my mom was an only child. So, my three cousins are the only first cousins I have.

Now I am the oldest of three children. And here's an *interesting* thing – each of us has a "counterpart" in our cousins.

Me – my oldest first cousin, a girl

My brother – my middle first cousin, a boy

My little sister – my youngest first cousin, a girl

Isn't that kind of cool?

My dad and my uncle were part of a very close family – and I can remember spending many birthdays and holidays as an extended family. My cousins were actually more like another brother and sisters.

Last night, at the end of two very intense days of hours-long meetings, we decided to go out to dinner, our last night together.

We ended up spending 3 ½ hours together – just reminiscing.

I can't believe how much we haven't changed.

(Some of that is a good thing – a lot of it is just hilarious!!)

My brother and my boy cousin have been lifelong friends. Both were born (stuck??) in between two sisters. So, they were really more like brothers growing up. I can't believe how much they still tease each other, and joke, and try to out *wit* each other with bantering repartee.

Last night I saw two little boys – (who are both in their 50's now) – joking like kids.

It was just heartwarming.

"The Hub" was with me, the only spouse along for the ride, and he had a great time hearing about some of those old family stories.

I think he actually learned some new "dirt" on me!

When we were coming home, I told him how special it was to know my cousins, to have them in my life, and to love them like I do.

I realized a tremendous thing – we are truly *connected* in a very unique way. Yes, we are friends – which is wonderful. But we are also something else – we are blood.

When I prayed last night, I got to thinking about this bond.

And I got to pondering how this bond isn't the only one I share with "family."

I am also vitally connected to another family – my eternal family.

Connected by the blood of Jesus.

Yes, we are a motley crew sometimes! Sorta like the disciples. Can you imagine what a ragtag bunch of buddies that was?? Sometimes I wonder what Jesus was thinking.

He pulled together the most random group of men – and yet, He chose them to build His church upon. I'm amazed that Jesus saw their potential! I know they didn't realize it – and I'm sure many who knew them doubted it too. But Jesus changed them, molded them, shaped them, transformed them into apostles that would light up the world with His Good News.

I've come to realize that that's how Jesus likes to do His business.

He takes the most unlikely candidates for ministry – and finds His way to use them.

But, what strikes me the most is this – over 2,000 years later, because of Jesus, we are all united together in the Body of Christ.

Brothers and sisters.

Related to Jesus, adopted as children of God – and because of that, we're all in the same extended eternal family.

I'm pretty excited about that.

I was sitting in church this morning, and I looked around at the large community of worshipers that surrounded me. I was quite overcome by the realization that these are "my people" because these are God's people.

We had a guest singer from Africa.

SHE is my sister, too.

And all the people that worship at her church. And all the people in China, and Europe, and Australia – and all over the world. Believers that have already died, believers yet to be born. All part of God's family – all part of mine.

So, what does this mean?

Well, practically speaking, it says a whole lot about how we should treat each other. We should practice unity, seeking harmony in what we say and think and do. We should regard each other with respect. We should act in a way that makes our love for each other VERY apparent.

People should know we are Christians by our love!

But really, we should look at each other and see Jesus. See His blood covering our individual flaws, see His blood covering our selfish tendencies, see His blood covering our mistakes and sins – see His blood covering…

We should look at the band of brothers and sisters surrounding us and see family.

Good, bad, and ugly.

But family – deeply and eternally connected.

Just like me and Jesus…

Just like me and you!


(INSERT CYBER HUG HERE!)


So, when's the last time you told a Christian brother or sister that you really loved them?


Linked with Joan at SHARING HIS BEAUTY


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

12 comments:

  1. Love you, sister Sharon.

    In answer to your question: Just now...

    This was a great reminder and I love that you said we were blood relatives. That's so very true. You would think I would have thought of that before now. Apparently, I'm the blond blood sister in Christ.

    (And I'm SO GLAD you had fun with them!)

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  2. It is wonderful that you are so connected with your earthly family - and wonderful of course you are connected with God - but it is awesome to be connected with you as blog friends. sandie

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  3. Beautifully penned, Sharon. Sometimes it feels like my church family (my people) are closer than the blood family. But it's all good. There's plenty of love to go around. Great post!

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  4. I just recently had a conversation like this with a friend as we talked about the fact that we have the blood of Christ running through our veins, making us relatives. I believe the natural blood relatives is special, but I also believe the Blood of Christ is a strong bond...

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  5. Thanks for the cyber hug! I'm sending one back to you!! Yes, there is no bond quite like that through blood. And to be joined by the blood of Christ is the strongest there is! What a blessing!

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  6. Hi Sharon,

    Sending you a cyber hug back. I have read your blog, but I am a bit lost for words at the moment, so will not comment tonight. Suffice to say, family, friends, God are all springing a few surprises!! on me at the moment and I am not coping as well as I could or should. A bit drained and depleted, physically, spiritually and emotionally, would best explain, I know you can probably relate to that feeling. Oh the words were not so lost, I will say goodnight now and God Bless You.

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  7. Your post is such a beautiful connection of blood brothers and sisters related by blood (and the blood of Jesus). I am so happy your family could enjoy your time together, with joy and good memories. Not all families can escape without some sort of hassle, but yours did!

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  8. Sharon, sending you a huge cyber hug because I can't be there IRL to give you one. Thank you, sister and friend, for all of your encouragement and prayers over these past tumultuous months. God is faithful! Even when we are not.
    I'm so glad He has joined us as a family through the blood of His Son.
    And isn't it fun to reminisce with cousins? My three boy cousins are like my brothers, too. Being an only child, they were my only "siblings." And, of course, I was special--being the only girl:) When we spend the holidays together, we have so much to talk about. I miss them during the rest of the year because we spent so much time together growing up.
    Thank you for your faithful comments. It is such a blessing to visit with you again.
    Love and blessings,
    Janis

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  9. Forgot to say I like the looks of your new home. It's warm and welcoming. Wood always makes me think of the cozy mountain cabin.

    Janis

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  10. Good morning, friend! Popping in with a bout of insomnia and, of course, found myself blessed by your post! I love everything about this. Jesus' "deliberate randomness" is one of my favorite themes in the whole Bible. I'm SO glad He picked such a motley crew. I'm so glad He doesn't exclude any one of us - good, bad, or ugly. And I'm further glad that you and your cousins had a great time together! Even though I haven't been commenting like I should, I have been reading and praying for you! I hope that you are well. I'm getting *very* close to making my "big" decision, and I will likely delve into it publicly in the next couple of weeks. I've been praying for peace and discernment for you. Love you much!!!

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  11. how true..we are all in this world together..and we are all our brothers keeper! sounds like you had a fun evening!!
    I am your newest follower..pls follow back if you can.

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"So [I] have been greatly encouraged in the midst of [my] troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives [me] new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. How [I] thank God for you!" (1 Thessalonians 3:7-9)

Thanks for your comments - it is such a joy to be sharing my journey with friends like YOU!

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