Is family more than kinfolk?
When I think of family, my heart fills with joy, because I have a wonderful one. We are a small unit, but close-knit and supportive. I remember, as a child, answering the question “what is a family?” I answered from the framework that I knew and believed in, based on my earthly family. I still believe in those family values. As I look at God’s kingdom and my own experiences, though, I also see another kind of family - friendship family. Sometimes we choose our family, or support system. Sometimes they choose us. Most importantly, we as believers in Christ have an even bigger family, the family of God.
God blessed me with a new member of this family recently. I felt called to visit a neighbor and take her some cookies. I’ve known Ann all my life, but hadn’t seen her in a while. I couldn’t figure out why it was so important for me to visit her. I even dreamed about it. Finally, last week, I said “Ok God, I don’t know what this is about, but I want to obey you.” I had two sugar cookie mixes I could use. If that wasn't enough of a sign, I turned on a Bible program, and discovered a message about being interrupted by God. “Ok God, I’m a nervous wreck, but I’m in.”
I made the cookies and delivered them the next day. 1:00 pm was in my mind as a delivery time. I gathered my courage and made it to Ann’s about fifteen minutes later.
Ann was so glad to see me that my anxiety melted. The big surprise, though, was that she doesn’t live there anymore. She lives two hours away and had come to visit her daughter fifteen minutes before I arrived. If I hadn’t listened to God, I would have missed her.
Ann is now a pastor’s wife, and the knowledge that God led me to bless her at the perfect moment blesses me in return. I don’t know when I’ll see this new family member again, but God, in his love, blessed us both.
Dear Father, thank you for family members like Ann, who are not related by blood, but related in the Spirit. Help us always be obedient when you call us to deliver an unexpected blessing.
Throughout this Day: How can you reach out in obedience to a member of God’s family today?