Families. Love 'em or Love 'em

My friend is dying. We got word last week she was moving into hospice care. When I went to see her, she said, "Well, pretty soon you won't have me around to bug you anymore." I've known her all my life, and I must admit there were times when she did indeed bug me. But then again, she is one of my church sisters, and I find myself remembering the times we spent eating cheesy bread and trying to solve the world's problems. 

When I arrived, one of my other church sisters was already there offering her sunny personality as a gift to our friend. When she left, I stayed until my friend's mother came. By that time, my friend had nodded off, but I stayed and spoke with her mom. "Thank you for coming," she said. "So many from church have called or visited." 

So I've been thinking about our church family. There are times when we get on each others' nerves. But in situations like this, we are here for each other. We are indeed a family, knit together by our belief in a God who calls us and frees us and gives us to one another for times of laughter as well as sadness. 

The Blessing of Families

I am blessed to have been born into a good family, and blessed again to have married into another. But today I'm realizing another blessing of a church family who cares for one another, despite our differences and quarrels. 

What about you? Do you have a church family? Do you feel the same? If you don't have a church, I urge you to seek one out. Families are a blessing, and that includes church families. Give it some thought, my friends. 

Until next week . . .