OLD FAMILY - NEW FAMILY - God's FAMILY!

 

(This is not the ENTIRE family. Kelley, our youngest daughter, our grandsons Jordan & Klayton and his family aren't in this either. AND there are a few extras, LOL! BUT, it is the closest I have to a TRUE family photo!)

I love my family. They know how much I hate that we are separated by so many thousands of miles. It is not that we spent HUGE amounts of time together, but just knowing they are close is somehow comforting and knowing that if they have issues I just can't jump in the car and help them puts a little strain on this dad. Two of the three are long distances from us. But, I do understand why and what they do and I support them ALL 100%. Somehow God knows what we need throughout life and he brings people in and out of our lives that fulfill our needs. 

I got a call last night from a young man that means the world to me.  Our relationship started as teacher/student about eight years ago. Right away he found out my grandkids call me GRAMPS and he started doing the same thing. For a while many people in Garrett thought he WAS my grandkid. He's not by blood, but he is in fact. I love you Paxton!

As Stephanie and I have started this new adventure in New Castle, God is giving us another family to care over, to love, and to spend time with. He has given us so many people throughout our lives and we are so happy with this NEW FAMILY that is growing on us.

In Ephesians 2, Paul taked about this NEW FAMILY being formed between the Jewish Christians and the Gentile Christians. They, together, were becoming one holy temple for the Lord. 

"So now you gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God's holy people. You are members of God's family. Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. Through him you Gentiles are also being made a part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit." (Ephesians 2:19-22, NLT)

I remember the "old" song, "I'm So Glad I'm a part of the family of God." I love that song and the unity it promotes. And even though I cannot be near my biological family, I can feel welcomed and loved by the family of God. I am so glad God has blessed us with this NEW FAMILY. I feel amazingly blessed when I get a call from my FAKE GRANDSON and when one of my NEWEST FAMILY MEMBERS just stops in the office for a chat. Thank You, Lord. I needed that.