Family

My definition of family has been changing and evolving for years. My idea of what it means to be family has always been a little different. When I was a small child, I knew that I had family that I had never met and may never meet. Being adopted gave me that perspective, and I remember hoping one day that I would meet some new family members that were related to me by blood.

Meeting my biological sister Karen and then finding my biological mother and father shortly after allowed me to know some of this family. Living away from my mom and dad as well as only meeting these biological family members at age 30 allowed me to begin to define family as those around me that I love and love me in return. These were friends - and many of them were people who had a shared passion for similar things like faith, family and missions like caring for the poor. This new family identity was made clearer when I read the words of Jesus who said, "Who are my mother and brothers and sisters? Those who do God's will are my family."

Losing my mom and bio-dad to cancer this year has again made me consider my definition of family as I look to the holidays that are soon upon us. What do I need from my family? What do I bring to the relationships that make me seem like family to them?

My idea of family continues to change and evolve ...

fear

I am so amazed that people of faith are afraid and angry about the election results. I've heard from several people who say that they are irate about our country's decision. Good grief. My first thought is "You've got to be kidding me." No matter which candidate won the election i am relieved that it is over. That's my first emotion - relief. I was so sick of the negativity before the election that I wanted it to end back in July! Next, my second emotion is joy - pure joy. I am so happy that we have changed the face of our presidency to include someone that opens the doors for all people of our country to know that if they work hard and have proper connections they can achieve the unthinkable and unimaginable. To see Rev. Jesse Jackson in tears watching the president-elect speak about hope and humility brought a tear to my eye. I can't say that I understand all of the emotions behind his tears, but I know enough to believe his years of hard work and dedication to end discrimination and injustice have helped pave the way for Senator Obama. This election result is good for our country and good for the perception of our country to other people around the world. We look different than we did on Monday. I hope we can listen to each other and really respect each other enough to believe that our next president really will unite us and get us to a new and better place - regardless of our political views.

To have so much anger and fear sure does not emanate from God - to see people who claim to follow Christ being consumed with anger and fear is very disappointing. The bible teaches us not to fear and not to worry but to pray. Our family studied Philippians 4 last night and the Apostle Paul wrote not to be anxious about anything but to pray about everything. Let us start there - no fear and no anxiety but prayer - speak to God about the issues that we all face and try to think of the possibilities!