But what I have come
to realize is that "family" comes in many forms.
Flesh and blood doesn't a "family" make.
It's the people that are there when it counts,
and even when it doesn't. Not just in your time of need, but to share in the good as well as
the bad. The people that offer a helping hand,
or also come to you for help in their hour of need.
"Family"
are the people you haven't seen or talked to in years. But when you run
into them at the grocery store, or at your kid’s high school ball game, you can just pick up from where you
left off.
"Family" are
the same people you can call all hours of the night, or time of day. The people
who make you feel better when a "biological" just can't, doesn’t,
or won’t.
I remember as a child
watching Walton's Mountain over, and over again, just painfully wanting to have that
family, I wanted the whole package with the grandparents, parents,
brothers and sisters. Having that sense of knowing someone has your back No
matter what.
(Still to this day my
heart aches for that sense of family.)
As I was reading
scripture today I was given, I guess what you
would call a revelation. A “Family”
is not just about genetics, there are so many
other factors involved.
My husband and I have
what is often referred to as a blended family. You know, his, mine,
and although we wanted at least one together we couldn't have any of our own. (Back then we accepted god’s choice and were thankful for the
children we did have. After surviving pre- teen and teen years, we are
constantly praising God for knowing what was best for our family.)
Because of our
blended family, my children have
learned that it is not DNA that makes a parent or a grandparent. They have been
blessed to have amazing people to step in and take over those missing roles in
their lives.
I had such a vast
family around me, I was just so blind before,
but God has opened my eyes.
My Walton’s:
My Sisters and
brothers:
The friend
who when I was expecting my first child stepped up and took me to birthing
classes, gave me a baby
shower, and became my labor coach. She did all
this and so much more for me, While others thought I should hold my head down
in shame, or didn’t want
to be seen with me in public.
Coworkers- I've always called them my work
family, but they are family. Like true brothers
and sisters, we've fought, cried, laughed, celebrated, prayed,
and even mourned together.
My
old high school friend, Jon, was
a brother to me. He
was always there "in a pinch" to pull me out of trouble when I was
about to do something stupid. He was always watching over us and protecting us. Now he does from heaven.
Grandparents:
I had an amazing aunt
and uncle to step in and take on many rolls. That same uncle also stepped in as
a father figure during the times when one was lacking,
We had an amazing man
come into our lives that did so much for my children and took care of them in
ways I could never even begin to explain.
Now Jon, my aunt Ruth, my uncle T, and Nick, are
watching us from heaven until the day we are all together again.
I'm not saying that my
blood relatives haven’t been “family”. What I guess I'm trying to say is;
where there have been times of unfulfilled roles,
others have stepped in and filled them. I pray I have or will do the same for
them.
I have-
My Walton's!!!!!
Matthew
12:46-50
While he was still
speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside,
asking to speak to him. But he replied to the man who told him, “Who is my
mother, and who are my brothers?” And stretching out his hand toward his
disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the
will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”
Luke 11:5-13
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