True Family

I've been thinking a lot recently about the difference between biological family and family through Christ. I heard some people talking recently about how close the were to family members. This made me a little sad because I'm not all that close to my extended family. Yes, I love them, and I get to see them a couple of times a year, but I'm not especially close like some people are. I've never been to a formal family reunion. I don't have daily or even weekly phone conversations with aunts, uncles, and cousins. As I type, I'm sitting in a hospital room with family members that I feel greatly distanced from. When mailing cards and invitations, I have to ask for or look up my grandparents' addresses. When I think about how close other people are to their family members, it makes me a little sad.

Then I remember the close relationships I have with people I am not biologically related to. I think about Mr. Frank, to whom I am not related, but in every other way feels like a grandfather. I think about Bro. Ron, who probably can read me better than most people and basically helped my parents raise me. I think about Alison McCarthy who is miles away, and whom I haven't seen in several years, but whom I incredibly miss and love to catch up with. I think about Aaron, who said to me the other day, "We don't have anything in common except for the Thing that matters most." I think about Mallory who lives on the other side of the world, who I can still pray with and love like a sister even though there's no biological relation.

I realize that all of these cases are so because of the bonds I share in Christ with each of them. I realize that my unbelieving friends and family can't know such special relationships with people. It saddens me for them, for I know that my closest friendships and relationships go far beyond phone calls and face-to-face encounters. We have a common goal, and one day will spend eternity worshiping Him together. Jesus, the One who holds all things together, makes us one in Him. He spans the oceans that separate, He allows for commonality when there seems to be none, He makes room for more at the family table. I'm so thankful for my family in Christ.