September 3, 2016

Greetings My Friend, One of the hardest things for me is that my family from Aunts and Uncles, cousins, even my own children do not stay in contact. When I grew up I had very little knowledge of my Dad's family due a rift so I never met his brother or my cousins. I did search for my cousins a few years ago and met them over the phone and later I visited them. I keep finding that in the family of God I meet family often. One time I took a cruise and one of our waitstaff was a Christian. She connected with me right off and we felt the bond of sisters in Jesus. On different mission trips I connected with the family of God on the mission field hosting us and it was always a joy to share time with them. It is the family of God that gives me a sense of belonging, acceptance and love. I do not have pictures for the most part of my Christian family to pull out and show people and that is okay. They are there when I need a friend. I have a church family and an online family with social media. I write of my faith journey which means I write about day to day life, the up, the downs and the mundane. My family is quick to pray as I struggle, encouraging when I am unsure and a quiet presence all the time. Knowing that I am wanted and cared for opens the door for me to be home more and quiet. I am no longer searching for acceptance like I once was. Reading my Bible and prayer keeps pointing me to the great love God has for me. He makes me feel like I am the only one He is concerned for. I know I am not and to be honest I do not seek His attention like did when I was a child wanting to be the only child my parents cared for. I am grateful that God is able to make each of His children feel special. God teaches me with such tenderness and I know that God is a firm teacher to Junior because that is what he desires and needs to feel special. He wants to know there is line he can not go past and God shows him that where I want to know that I will not be beat up for a mistake. It amazes me that God can do this for each person in His huge family. I see God's love for those that do not know Him too. He has given the believers the job of reaching out and reflecting His love to those we meet. In the OT I feel God's tears as Israel goes off on their own time after time after He has told them to come back to Him and worship Him alone. I see God's firmness when He sends His chosen nation into exile when they refuse Him and His tender love when He brings them back when they repent asking Him back into their lives. I sense God has created us to make that choice to follow Him. Why would He want a bunch of followers loving Him that has no other choice? Knowing that in God's love for me I find a desire to live the love I receive, to offer this love to others and I am thankful for the love I receive day in and day out. I am thankful that God has given me special gifts so that I can reach out with these gifts like writing, being silly or encouraging someone who is in the midst of a storm. May God bless you and keep you make His face shine on you. Love Janet.