For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.  ( Matthew 12:50)                                   

I have spent more than sixty years searching for my birth family. Not sure why I had that overwhelming desire to do that. I had a sister and brother that I grew up with, but there is a constant pull – a searching, wanting a biological connection. The reason I paused at times in my search was that I wanted to make sure I was still honoring my parents. To me my adoptive parents, the Mom and Dad I had on the Centerview farm will always be my parents.

God answered my prayers and longing when I met my half siblings. What a joy it has brought to me to find my biological family.

When I read the Scripture in Matthew today, it brought to my mind many friends and especially the spiritual brothers and sisters in my life.  These people go to church regularly, are saved, baptized but more than that – God is the Lord of their life today and everyday.  These spiritual relationships are more binding than the biological relationships.

It is the Spirit that unites the Christian community in Christ. I have these brothers and sisters through Stonecroft, thru Red Mountain United Methodist Church and the Reflections writing circle in Mesa.  I have more brothers and sisters scattered around the United States.

Every relationship is a gift and these gifts have shown up in my life at the time I needed them.  I have had friends come and go through the years, I guess maybe there is a time in your life when you need them, then  a time, where you need to move on to other friends.

Today I pause again and give thanks for these people that are in my life.  What a beautiful large family I have. God is good.  We are far in distance from some friends,  but close in heart, because we are all adopted into God’s family.

Blessings to you,