Family of God

 "While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.” He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?”-Matthew 12:46-48

"Now Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him, but they were not able to get near him because of the crowd. Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.” He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.”-Luke 8:19-21

       These two verses really spoke to me this past week because of situations that have been going on with some friends. I can't say too much about the situations because I want to respect my friends but I will say why these verses have touched me this week and what I learned from them. 

        When a friend or a person you know is going through something really hard, does it ever occur to you how you feel for that person and/or family? I mean in this situation I only know 3 out of the 7 people in the family and I still feel as though I need to help them in some way. I don't even personally know the person that is having the problems and I would love to but that still shouldn't matter. knowing 3 people is enough for me to pray for the situation they are going through because just knowing those 3 people and how close they are tells me a lot. 

          We might not be blood related in any way but in a way we are related in the family of God. It is strange that since I have moved down here in AR that ever since the very start of my adventure without knowing anything, I started going to the same church as them and still am 4 years down the road. I have tried to leave the church but I just can't for some reason. That church has a pull on me because it has a lot of different opportunities for me to learn from. The church really believes in being together for Christ. Actually being a church. I can't remember a time when I was growing up to where I actually felt that in a church. 

          The situation that is going on right now just makes me see what it means to be a part of the Family of God through the church more then through blood relations. I'm not scared to say that when I found out what was going on I started to cry and I do every time because I have worked with all kinds of children and I have nieces and nephews of my own. Some of the situations I can't even think of happening to any of my nieces and nephews. I can't even think about losing them to something. I would have to be really strong and really trusting the Lord in everything and I just don't think I could do it as well as my friends are when things get rough. 

           It was hard enough seeing children that were abused and not taken care of. I just wanted to go hunt down their parents and give them a talking to. Those problems I could put in my own hands compared to what my friends go through, what seems like every year almost. It deeply hurts me when I cannot fix a problem for any child especially a child that I know personally their mom, uncle, or even dad. In moments like these is when the family of God needs to come in and help. I don't know what it has been lately but lately I have felt that there was some kind of connection and maybe just being part of a spiritual family is that connection. 

            I spent time with my nieces and nephews, all day, yesterday for Halloween and kept thinking about what my friends are going through and have been through and I just can't even think of the feelings they must be feeling. It has changed the way I look at my nieces and nephews especially the younger ones. I have a niece the same age as my friend's daughter, only a few months younger, and I couldn't think of what it would be like if I had to go through the situation with her. 

             All this to say that no matter the situation, God will use it to teach people around you something. I might not have the connection to talk to them face to face but I always have the connection to pray for them and her and that is the best connection you could ever have. Prayer can do some powerful things if we just let it go. I have been through a lot that people shouldn't go through but it was in a way my decision and for some reason God wanted me to go that way too. 

           Just thinking of what I have been through with other people's children plus my nieces and nephews, gives me somewhat of an idea at least from the aunt perspective and right now that is all I want. I couldn't even think about what it would be like from a mother's perspective. Being an aunt and thinking those things are hard enough for me right now.

           I can actually call those people my sisters and brothers in Christ because of situations like these. We are all fighting and praying for the same person and thing to happen. We are all being connected for one cause and hope.