Families

          When we think of family, we normally think of those people who are relatives. That is, they have been born into our family and are related in some way or another. Some people come from rather large families and others are small. My mother's family consisted of 7 children and my Father's family had 5 children. That can lead to a rather large group of cousins, nieces, uncles, nephews and such. At my age, my family has grown smaller due to the passing away of most of my uncles and aunts and many of their children. Living where we are presently located, my only family consists of our son and daughter and their children. I have found that I have an “extended” family. To me, that is when someone takes you in as their own and treats you like “family.” Such was the case with Glenna Holley. Glenna recently passed into glory and her funeral was this past Monday. One thing I recall is how she treated my wife and I during special days when we couldn't get together with our own family. She would invite us out to the “farm” and treat us like we were royalty. We would be seated at the large table and fed such wonderful food which would usually include a dish of Macaroni and Cheese which Andy her husband usually requested at most meals. We were included in conversation just like we were a part of her family. I think we indeed were if just for a brief moment in time, a real part of her family. She was always gracious and certainly had the gift of hospitality. I also recall the desserts that she would prepare and how that there was usually one for the diabetics, such as myself, to enjoy even at some of the deacon meetings when it was Andy's turn to provide the dessert. Romans 8;16-17 says, “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”

          We have our earthly families and we also find that we are a part of a heavenly family that is far greater than we ever imagined. It is the family of God. It is a family that is made up of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. The passage for today shows us how we are a part of this family of God because of our relationship with God. We are His children and the passage then goes on to declare that because we are His children, we are also joint heirs with Christ. Can you imagine that? Being a joint heir might just roll off your lips in a discussion, but just think of the ramifications of such a statement. Our heavenly Father has the most of offer anyone in an inheritance. He is the Creator of the universe and everything in it. Because we have believed in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, for our salvation, we are joint heirs with Him. It is no wonder that we declare that when we pass away, we go into “GLORY.” What a time that is. The Scriptures remind us of a great feast, the marriage supper of the LAMB. God will be in charge of that supper and what a glorious time it will be. Daily events seem to bog us down with the results of a sinful world in which we live. Disease and even death seem to weigh heavy on our hearts but in all of this, we realize that we are a part of the family of God and therefore have really nothing to fear or to worry about. Thank God for earthly families, both physical and extended, but also praise God for His family in which we, as believers, are all a part.