How do you define family? Is it a mom, dad and 2.5 kids? Does your family include lots of aunts, uncles and cousins? Maybe your family also includes dear friends whom you consider family. Family isn’t easily defined, but I think we all know family matters.
Many months ago I received one of those cards that says, “Save the date.” I was so excited. I love weddings. I ran to my calendar to save the date when I realized I was already booked to speak at a women’s conference that same day. My parents have deeply ingrained in me that I must always keep my commitments. Then a light bulb went off. I could just go to the reception.
Months go by and the invitation finally arrives. My heart sunk. The wedding and reception were to take place two hours away from the conference and away from my home. I know what you are thinking, “It’s just one wedding.” That is true. However, I am blessed with a huge family. I have dozens of cousins and I love getting to see all of them. It had been a couple of years since I had seen this batch of cousins even though we don’t live that far apart.
I knew Mom wouldn’t miss the wedding, and I knew she would let me crash in her hotel room. So, I decided to go for it. I spent the entire day speaking and interacting with wonderful women, debriefing with the team after the conference and then headed out to the reception. About half way to the big event my body started to feel tired and the sun started to go down. The darker it got the more I started to question my sanity in this decision. What was I thinking? The closer I got to the reception the narrower the roads became and landmarks were impossible to see. I started thinking, “Please Siri, be right. If I get lost, I will never find this place.” Part of me wanted to give up before I got there. Thankfully, Siri was correct, and I arrived safely.
As soon as I walked up to the door of the reception, I knew why I was there. I received the first of many hugs from one of my cousins. Family matters.
Galatians 6:10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers (NIV).
God defines all believers as family. That’s not to say that unbelievers are unacceptable in our earthly families. But, now how big is your family? How are you treating your family? Is it a joy for you to be around your family? Do you need to do some rebuilding, bring in some fertilizer? Sometimes we take family for granted. Sometimes we think they will always be there. But, things happen. Life gets in the way.
As brief as my time was with my cousins, I would do it again. That reconnection brings joy and reminds us all that family matters. It reminds me not to take life and family for granted. What are you going to do today to declare family matters? Share it below.