A Forever Family: Heirs to the King

Family has always been meaningful to me. Living on a working farm, we spent long days together, putting up hay, mucking out stalls, feeding livestock.

We created endless memories to share with our children of working and playing with each other—of doing life together.

For the past few weeks, my husband, our children, and myself have been “doing” family: reunions, time spent with grandparents, vacation. It has been a special time, one I’m cherishing more as I prepare to send my oldest off to college in a couple days.

At a reunion in early August, cousins asked questions few in my father’s family could answer about our ancestors. We know it began in this country not so far back, with sorrow it seems and perhaps motherless children.

Later in the same month, my mother-in-law spoke in detail of grandparents and great grandparents journeying over troubled seas, daily hardships of the Great Depression, and beautiful childhood memories of family.

I never tire of hearing those sweet and bittersweet stories. They are grounding, tying us to others who share the same history.

Family connections help us know who we are. 

So what about those who have no family: Who were orphaned at a young age, who lost their family in some tragedy, or are estranged from family members. Are they just simply without hope for connection? Destined to die with no family memories? Not knowing who they are or where they came from?

It sounds incredibly sad. But it doesn’t have to.

We are all part of a family, born into it by the grace of a Father who loves all His children with a fierce jealousy. He never abandons us, not even one.

And as believers in our Savior, Jesus Christ, we have been adopted into a sweet, loving family, a family to cry and laugh with—brothers and sisters who will share our sorrows and triumphs.

In Christ, no one is without siblings.

In God’s Kingdom, there are no orphans.

Everyone has the opportunity to gather at a family reunion, learning who they are, sharing in the family history.

Each of us has the joy of  journeying alongside each other as heirs to the King, grounded in the truth of a forever family. 

I never tire of hearing these family stories either.

“When the time came to completion, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba, Father!’ So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God” (Galatians 4:4–7 HCSB).

Share in the Discussion: Have you ever felt like an orphan? Was there someone in particular who helped you find your forever family in Christ?

Linking with Ann Voskamp at A Holy Experience Multitude Mondays—#907–927 (View my entire list of 1000 gifts by clicking here):

• Giggly daughter–all day!; Mom’s joy at playing board/card games with children & grands; Gift of new shoes
• Apple Butter canned; Evening campfire with family on a marvelous evening; Shooting stars
• Surprise gift of a laptop from Dan & Dave; Rachel’s team at school–looking to be a good yr; On the water w/ family
• First-day-of-school pictures; Applesauce canned; To bed before 11
• Safe arrival at Dave’s moms; Homemade peach cobbler; Family stories
• Gathering fresh chicken eggs; Time spent 1-on-1 with my sister-in-law; Laughter among family
• Arrived home safely; Klondike bar gift from son; Boys endless patience and understanding with their sister

Know that I am blessed by your visits and value your comments. I love to pray for you and hear your stories! If you find my writings encouraging, please share them with others. It’s super easy, just click one of the buttons below. And if you haven’t yet, please consider subscribing to my site by email or RSS feed. You’ll get each post delivered right to you.