Family

Our entire immediate family was in Michigan this past weekend for a mini family reunion of sorts. We usually get together around Christmas time but that didn't happen this year due to our son and his wife giving birth to their first child in late October so . . .

This was the first time my side of our family got to meet the newest piece of fruit on the family tree, our grandson. Our daughter also got engaged recently, as well as my nephew, so two new "branches" of our family are sprouting, right before our eyes. A healthy family tree that is growing and bearing fruit. That's so cool to see and be a part of.

However, not all families in this world are blessed with the love and closeness that our family has been. Some families have arguments at family get togethers. Other families actually have split up. Family reunions are none existing. There are "trees" in the forest of families that have lost branches - suffering heavy damage, others have had new branches grafted in. Some family trees, sadly, have actually died. However, there is hope for those without a family - in Christ.

"Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise." - Galatians 3:13-29

I have noticed an incredible closeness with many of my brothers and sisters in Christ since I came to believe. I find this amazing. These people, who otherwise would be merely acquaintances or friends, have become brothers and sisters through our mutual faith in Christ. We are that close! I am incredibly close to my physical brother and sister, but spiritually, I almost feel closer to non-blood relatives who have placed their faith in Jesus. We are indeed brothers and sister because we have the same Father, in heaven.

There truly is nothing like this common bond with God as the head of the family tree. We truly are a family of biblical proportions. There are millions of us! As numerous as the stars in the sky."

However, I fear our numbers are dwindling. The Bible speaks of "a remnant" and Matthew 24:10 tells us that "many will fall from the faith" in the last days. I see a falling away happening right now. Our spiritual "family tree" is decreasing in lushness. Our leaves are shriveling. But there IS hope. :)

Look at the picture I have included with this post. It's a tree. A NEW tree, growing out of what? A dead tree. Life from death. Beautiful! The tree in the picture represents a NEW "family tree, " a new tree which has sprung up from death . . . the death of Jesus and the death of ourselves. You and I can have new life, just like that tree, in a new eternal family, through the death and resurrection of Jesus. Our belief in Him and our death . . . the death of our old selves, grafts us into that beautful, wonder life-giving family tree. Resurrected to new life.

If you are experiencing trouble in your family. If the seeds of hope are having difficulty springing to life. Water that dead seed with life-giving water and soon you will experience the true joy that comes with a loving, caring eternal family and a Father who will treat every member as His own, through Jesus.

"Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also." - John 12:24-26