Its a Family Matter

To date, I have not been “blessed with children,” as they say. At least it would appear that way to the casual observer. On closer inspection I have more beautiful children than I could ever have dreamed for. I am the proud aunt of three dynamic nieces, and one profoundly adorable nephew with another addition on the way. I love my nieces and nephew. I watch them with the pride and adoration as great as any parent.

They range in age from 18 to 1 year. They are each as different from each other as their fingerprints. I was there for most of their births and they have been an integral part of my life ever since. I have watched them each grow, learn, strive and become the people they are today. All have their full futures before them and I for one cannot wait to be a part of their lives as they journey forward.

My eldest niece loves to play sports, is a beautiful singer and a fashion icon to her friends. She is kind and gentle and has a wonderful laugh that welcomes you in. She is off to college in a year and I know she will light up that campus.

My middle niece is brilliant. She probably doesn't want us to know that, but I have rarely been around someone with such a sharp and quick mind. She is a beautiful pianist like her late grandfather and loves to act in school plays. She is becoming a world class fencer and I hope to watch her win an Olympic gold metal one day soon.

My youngest niece is the mischievous one. The one my brother lets get away with everything. She consumes books like they are oxygen. She is happiest when she is cooking or baking for others and loves making crafts. She makes people feel loved just by her presence.

My nephew, the one-year old, is the charmer. He has a smile that lights up the stars. He loves to “furniture cruise” and explore and get into everything found at knee level. One smile from his dimpled face and my troubles melt away. He is going to make a wonderful big brother to his soon-to-be sibling.

As you can see, if I haven’t bored you completely, I love watching these children grow. While my nieces and nephew were not born to me, they are mine. They are my family. Because I don’t have children of my own, I cannot say this for certain, but I do not think I could love them more if they had been born to me. I would shake the earth to its foundation to protect them. That’s what family does for family.

I think that’s what it must be like for God. He has only One true son, but we are all His children. (John 1:12-13). He has adopted us - we are His and He is ours. We are God’s family.

God was there the day we were born and He will be there when we die. He has watched over us everyday we have taken a breath. He has been with us when we struggle and when we succeed. He has been with us when we celebrate victories and when we suffer crushing defeats. He knows our darkest secrets and He knows our deepest desires.

Like any parent, I think God loves nothing more than watching us and helping us grow into the people we are today. And the people we will become tomorrow. And I know with all certainty, that God loves us as much as He loves His only Son. There is nothing He would not do for us. God will shake more than the foundation of His earth to protect us. In fact, He already did when He sacrificed His Son, our Brother, for us.

That’s what family does for family.
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