This is an idea that has been percolating for some time...family.
My heart has come to the conclusion that family is not about those who share a common blood, but more about those who share a common bond.
I am finding that the most powerful bond for me is a common faith...a love of God.
I have found family in my church and a small group that has formed and refused to let our little church die...the D Squareds...Devoted and Determined.
I have found family here in the land of blogging women...family as real and true as any I can imagine. It is amazing to me that almost all of the blogs I follow and care about are authored by faith-full women with big hearts.
I have found family in the friends who have loved me.
I have found family, home, safety and peace with my little husband.
These are the people I will stand for, fight for, pray for and love. These are the people who will stand for, fight for, pray for and love me....
This then, is my family.
I love you.
20 comments:
I LOVE YOU TOO DONNA!!!!
I feel the exact same way. Living where we do with no 'family' around we have adopted people who have become 'family'. I feel it is important to have family around. Especially when raising kids. They need family to support them. Come to their games, recitals, give them words of encouragement and hugs, etc.
We've adopted grandparents here since both my parents and The SM's parents live so far away, we have adopted aunts and uncles.....
The Native's are in for some rough times ahead. One grandpa we've adopted just turned 90. He's still sharp as a tack and doing great but it is only a matter of time and their other grandpa has just (a few months ago) been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. It has been so hard on my kids watching their grandpa through this. One son in particular who spends a lot of time with him and has been for several years... he is trying to be brave for his grandpa but it hurts as it hurts us all.
These are things that come with family. The good and the hard thing but that is also what makes family. Having people you love share in the hard times too.......
I'm grateful for you Donna and your faith and friendship and sisterhood. :D
Thanks, Rachel, you are part of my family! Loving is hard and complicated and the most powerful force in the universe. It is what Jesus demonstrated and God commanded...love...family.
And trust is a big part of the family thing, too. Who can you trust your heart and your happy and your hurt with? Family...love...
Beautiful. Perfect. Yes. Amen!
You must know how my heart is yearning...
Yearning to come and visit. YES!!! :D
Those two men are also part of my family, but then, that family is the same one that Rachel is talking about. And while we are on the cusp of sadness, we've had so many years of love, leadership, wisdom - we can hardly complain. Another of the deeply loved men, our Jess - I drove by his house today, and there was his son, looking just like him, taking care of the yard for his mama - the woman who taught me to make peanut brittle about thirty years ago - and we were talking about this very thing.
Family can be blood. But people really have to qualify as family - they are the people who have deserved to be trusted, who have been there when they're needed, who are what you want to be when you grow up -
Sometimes, people who are supposed to be "family" behave so badly - taking, not being dependable, doing harm - and while they are children of God, it doesn't mean they have to have access to your privacy, your beloved spaces and things, your money, your time, your children, your heart.
Building a family - that's a real deal.
YES!!!
My 'family' is small, but growing in love!
I can pray for the others, but I cannot let them hurt me or the family I love.
I have had a few elders in my life that have been invaluable...teachers and friends...family. They have passed on now, but not the lessons they taught, nor the important times they shared in my life.
No mean people in the family I am building. And it is ongoing, isn't it? The family building business...
Yes, family building IS ongoing. Which is pretty darn magical, really. And I agree with K's comment that people must qualify to be family. Sometimes blood can have ever so little to do with it. Love is shown through behaviour, not shared genes.
Oh dear, I am feeling rotten with a migraine. It's been ever so busy, and this weekend coming is a FULL one, and I wonder if I will EVER catch up with my online family :-)
In sisterhood,
WSW
Amen. Amen. And, amen, Donna. It could not have been said any better or any more true. blessings and hugs ~ Tanna
WSW, I am thrilled to be part of your sisterhood...and I love where you said love is shown through behavior not shared genes.
I wish I could come and help you this weekend....it has been a busy week here, too...Holy Week and much meaningful and thought provoking church...and a haircut and a Pampered Chef party and a speech to write with a high school girl for her attempt at being the Queen of the Buckwheat Festival this fall, and First Friday at church and ... but if I could I would come and help you! Headaches are the worst...be well, far away sister! I miss you and your news from home.
Tanna, your constant encouragement and hugs and blessings mean so much to me...you are part of the sisterhood that I have found here and am ever so grateful for!
Donna, you have filled my spirit, such beautiful sentiments, thank you!
God Bless
Melissa, early on you joined the sisterhood!
Donna I think this post has connected with a lot of people. I agree with WS that love is shown thru behaviour and not shared genes. I am often amazed and shocked at how some members of a family will treat another of their family. I live so far away from my family that I have thru necessity connected with many different friends from many walks of life and they help me feel a part of something and much loved. I think it must have been very hard for people years ago who were removed from their family, how could I manage without the internet? I don't like to think about that. Imagine being one of those pioneer women, gosh their lives were tough and they must have at times felt very alone. Great post :-)
And they will know we are Christians by our love, by our love
they will know we are Christians by our love...
I couldn't agree more! So glad to love you Donna!!
Blessings, Debbie
That is exactly it, Debbie! I need to do a road trip to visit all of my far flung family!
But, because we know love, we must find others to share it with, right? Even the pioneer people found others to share their love with....Very glad we have connected!
O.K. This is ridiculous Donna. You may have broken up our happy home. I can't stay away from the eagle cam! My husband almost had to leave for work without breakfast as I completely lost track of the time... The only reason that I could come tell you this is because both of the eagles have left the nest. Of course I've popped back over 3 times since I began this comment... just in case they were back. Oh dear...
Blessings, Debbie
Oh, I hope not! But so glad you are enjoying them.
Post a Comment