What Does It Mean to You?

FAMILY...

What does that word mean to you?

For the longest time - just the mention of that word to me was wrought with pain, anxiety, stress, tension, anger, frustration, panic, confusion, bitterness and all kinds of other icky feelings and emotions...

But then... God did His thing!

He went and pieced together our family through the most painful and beautiful circumstances we could have ever experienced... and in the process he redefined "family" for me!

It wasn't blood...

It wasn't some 57th "cousin" on your uncle's sister's mother's side (or no relation at all) claiming allegiance...

It wasn't family reunions, home towns or birthrights...

It wasn't any of that.

Instead, God gave us a glimpse of how He sees family and what Kingdom families look like. And they were more like:

- people you can count on

- people who share your struggles and challenges

- mutually felt and regarded respect

- people who support you

- people who love you

- people you can confide in and trust

- NOT soley blood relation

And with that realization from Him - family took on a whole new meaning.

The negativity of it all was washed away and I realized I actually had a LOT of family in a lot of places.

I can't even put in to words how grateful I am for what God has done in me through the building of our crew - giving me just a small peek of His vision for family.

Shout outs today to my true family all over the globe - I'm thankful for all of you!