I am my father's child

Last weekend my husband and I took a much needed afternoon off.  My sister invited us to her country home to just lay back, enjoy some food and relax with the family.  I came with a fiesty spirit.  I felt a freedom that I have been missing for a while.  I had not been together with my family in several weeks and I think everyone noticed. 

We arrived of course to triple digit heat.  It is wide open land and prime for ATV's and pond fishing but it does get hot! She had set up a cute rectangular "kiddie" pool in the event someone got to urge to really cool off.  I always think ahead.  I brought extra clothes not because I thought I would necessarily ruin what I had on but simply because in the outdoors of her place we can become competitive and some have slipped near the pond, slid to homeplate, dropped dessert on their clothes...I just wanted to be ready. 

We arrived and had great conversation with my family and a neighbor.  My cousins also came making it that much more fun.  I had nieces and nephews and great nephews as well. 

As we always do, we began talking at the table.  I complimented a nephew on his commitment to school and his diligence to studying.  I even said "You are so compassionate."  The problem came when I joking yelled back at his mom and criticized her board game abilities.  As I walked across the yard jabbing at her, I felt a hit blindside me with perfect timing and the power of Houston Texans Defensive End, JJ Watt. I was knocked off my feet and right in to that kiddie pool.  I was stunned.  The very "child" that we grew up with, that I had just called compassionate, my nephew,  "knocked" me into that pool.  So I said "OK....game on!" 

The rest of the day kept me pretty much on my guard although I will say I went down at least one more time but I took warriors down with me. 

The beauty of a family.  A family that has endured, sustained, out lived trials and sufferings yet also a family that has faltered, fallen, and survived.  A family that is bound by a strong patriarch and a persistent matriarch.

In our quiet time of just sitting back and enjoying the elements, I thanked God for each one of them.  Each of us has had our own trials and we have had trials as a family.  The sister hosting the event is a nurse and a walking testimony.  Her husband who I knew in early policing days walked into our family and without so much as trying and won us over.

There is joy in being a part of this group yet as one who likes to mentor women, I often hear of individuals who feel so alone.  I hear of how they have no family, no mother, father or even siblings.  I hear of how a spouse left them, a parent abandoned them, their child turned their back on them. 

I love my family and I am particularily close to my father.  Yet my heart bleeds for those in situations where they feel alone.  As much as I love my father and would never want to disappoint him, I know I have a heavenly Father that loves me even more.  I know that because God's Word tells me but I also know that because my father told me. 

I am my Father's child and so are you.  God's Word says that our Father's love is so great....so great that he lavished it on us!  One of my favorite verses is one worthy of memorizing and remembering!

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us that we should be called the children of God. 

That's what it says. 

We belong to a family.  Not just any family but the Family of God.  I read that verse and get giddy with the fact that God loves me so much that he would call me his child.  My earthly father recognizes that I am not perfect and he loves me anyway. 

He knows that I can not swim and had that been an underground pool at my sister's house, I know that my father, even at 79 years old would have jumped in to save me...he would do it because he loves me and I am his. 

Two thousand years ago, Christ died on the cross.  He did it for you, he did it for me because we are his children.   You are not alone.  You are the Father's child. 

There is a second part to that verse that seals it.  It says "That's what we are!" 

You may not be out at the country with our crazy bunch but you can belong to the family of God.  I know...I am my Father's child!

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us that we should be called the children of God. And that's what we are!  1 John 3:1