The Family of God

  


  

Just before we moved here, I was on the phone with my sister-in-law, Tracy, who lives near San Bernardino and works for the court system. She makes regular visits to an office in the town of Joshua Tree which is about 20 miles from 29 Palms. She was was calling me from that particular office, and in her usual upbeat, almost over-the-top encouraging manner was saying what a great pastor my husband was going to be and what a great pastor's wife I was going to be. She is always bragging profusely like--that's why I like hanging out with her! lol Anyhow, one of her employees, was listening to the conversation, and when Tracy hung up, the lady asked, "Do you think when your brother-in-law gets here, I could go to his church?"  Did she have any idea how ecstatic that question makes anybody who is in the ministry feel? OF COURSE she could come to our church!!!! Before we could even make our move I had already emailed and talked to my new friend on the phone several times. In fact, when I found an apartment online, she went to check it out for us. It was everything she said it would be! Since our very first Sunday at our church, she has been attending regularly. Last night we had our new family friend over for dinner.  I made barbecue pork chops, green beans, corn, mashed potatoes, and coleslaw. Dinner was good, but the conversation afterward was even better! We talked about her life, her family, the Bible;  and our life, our family, and the Bible!
     I love the family of God! I love that no matter where we are located, we have been able to meet other children of God and spend time in sweet fellowship with them. I love how our new friend who is a hardworking widow and a great-grandma is now a part of our family! Another sister-in-Christ I have recently met is RV-ing in this area with her husband for the winter. Her husband suffers from severe allergies, and the air quality here is just about the highest and purest in America. She has hopped right in and become a part of our church family even though she will only be here for short time. She has been my soul-winning partner in recent months. I am going to hate it when she leaves, but I love that she so quickly became part of the church family--and that she is my sister-in-Christ.
     I love the words of this Bill Gaither classic which pretty much sums it all up:

I'm so glad I'm a part of the Family of God, I've been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His Blood! Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod, For I'm part of the family, The Family of God.
 
You will notice we say "brother and sister" 'round here, It's because we're a family and these are so near; When one has a heartache, we all share the tears, And rejoice in each victory in this family so dear.
I'm so glad I'm a part of the Family of God, I've been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His Blood! Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod, For I'm part of the family, The Family of God.
 
From the door of an orphanage to the house of the King, No longer an outcast, a new song I sing; From rags unto riches, from the weak to the strong, I'm not worthy to be here, but PRAISE GOD! I belong!