I had lunch recently with a sweet friend and her adorable 2 year old daughter.  We were enjoying lunch when two elderly ladies commented about how much we all look alike.  My friend told them we were not related.  I whispered to her “they probably think I’m your mother!”  My friend was gracious and said that was not the case.  However, I’ve grown rather accustomed to being accused of being a mother to my two younger sisters.  I guess it’s time now that I be accused of being a grandmother!  While I’m not ready for that (and spend a small fortune annually to keep the gray away), in reality both of my grandmothers were younger than me when they became grandmothers.  So, it is what it is.

As I was pondering the comment this morning (about how we all looked alike) I had a realization.  Since my friend is a Christian we are related indeed!  How very exciting to call her a sister because we have the same Father.

Isn’t it amazing how God redeems broken or absent relationships by joining us with other believers?  Let me explain.  I have three amazing biological sisters but no children (or grandchildren!). Many people experience deep hurts by biological family members. Maybe an absent or abusive father, a mother who was neglectful or controlling, siblings who tortured or belittled.  Those are hard things to get over (if ever).  Many people long for a different family unit for tons of reasons.  It could simply be a discontentment that is a theme in their life.  However, in the “body of Christ”, many of those missing relationships are fulfilled.

Jesus Himself referred to God as His Father and encouraged us to do the same.  We start the Lord’s Prayer with “Our Father, who art in Heaven…”  That makes those who follow Christ “related” through that union.  How fun!  While our relationship with The Lord is really the only one we “need”, God also brings people into our lives to give us rich sharing and fellowship as well as accountability and correction.

Perhaps you are someone I know….perhaps you are a stranger. For those I know who are not following Christ I would love nothing more than to call you a Brother or Sister.   I would be honored and thrilled if you would talk to me about my faith.  In the meantime I will pray for you in earnest.

For those reading this whom I don’t know, but you are following Christ, we will meet one day on that heavenly shore.  I anticipate that day longingly.

I’ll close with this passage from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians.  It is his prayer for the Ephesian church.  I chose it because Paul references God the Father and reference’s the family.  It is my prayer for you as well.

 ^“For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” 

Ephesians 3:14-21 ESV

Have a great day!