ALL in the Family!

 

I have a “boat load” of kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids. The picture above is just a “sampling.” 

I love being with them on Spring Break. Although, normally, we are ALL together in one spot. This year about half of the crew is in California and the other half is here with us in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Every morning I get up EARLY to study God’s word, at least one of them wakes up and joins me. It definitely steals time from me and the Lord, but I am sure he doesn’t mind sharing!

I also have a pretty large group of “spiritual children.” It is such an honor and blessing to join with new believers to grow their faith and as we grow in our relationship, I feel personally responsible for them, just like a father or grandfather. I can’t remember the exact numbers from 2024, but we have over 100 “spiritual children” adopted into our family last year. That number always amazes me. There are many churches in this world with far less people. AND like our kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids, we love spending time with them. As I was reading in Galatians this morning, Paul felt the same way. 

“Those false teachers are so eager to win your favor, but their intentions are not good. They are trying to shut you off from me so that you will pay attention only to them. If someone is eager to do good things for you, that’s all right; but let them do it all the time, not just when I’m with you. Oh, my dear children! I feel as if I’m going through labor pains for you again, and they will continue until Christ is fully developed in your lives. I wish I were with you right now so I could change my tone. But at this distance I don’t know how else to help you.” (Galatians 4:17-20)

When I don’t get to be with my spiritual children, I miss them just like I miss being with my ALL my family over spring break. I want to make sure my spiritual children are being fed properly and are growing in a healthy way. There is so much bad information out there. People who have bad intentions and only desire to draw my “kids” away from the Lord, are everywhere in our world. 

I always look forward to adopting NEW spiritual children to join my family and I love helping them mature in their faith. I pray for my entire family when we are separated, and I pray for them when we are together. I pray God will protect them from false teachers, and people that would drag them away from our Heavenly Father. I pray God will place people in their lives that will direct them closer to the TRUTH of JESUS. I pray that same prayer whether you are my REAL kids or my SPIRITUAL kids.