What makes a Family?

The first reaction most people have is that a family includes those people with whom you grew up: Mom, Dad, and any siblings. Then they add Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents, Cousins, etc. Yes, all of these people are considered Family.

But does there have to be a blood connection to be part of a Family?

Absolutely not. First of all, people who marry each other are not related by blood to each other. (Or maybe I should say I hope they are not.) When they unite, they “become one flesh.” They create their own family.

What about children who are adopted? My wife was adopted by two absolutely wonderful people when she was only 3 days old. Yes, the woman who birthed her is her Birth Mother, but my wife has always said with sincerity that the people who raised her – who chose her – are her Mom and Dad. There is no blood relation there, but you would never know it.

By the way, I offer for your consideration a strong belief that my wife and I share: she is her parents’ Daughter – NOT their “Adopted Daughter”! I realize that some of you who have no one in your family who was adopted may not see the difference but, trust me, it is a HUGE difference for those whose lives were immensely impacted by the love of their Mom and Dad who chose to raise them.

I was blessed to be raised by two wonderful people, too. My Dad and Mom grew up during The Great Depression, having been born in 1926 and 1927, respectively. Dad passed away in 1986 at the age of 60. Mom passed away in 2003 at the age of 76. Interestingly, the calendars of both of those years were the exact same. Dad passed away on June 17, which was the Tuesday following Father’s Day that year. 17 years later, Mom died on Sunday, June 15, which was Father’s Day (like it was in 1986).

With Father’s Day being two days ago, I wanted to cover this topic now. For those of you with one or both parents who are still living, I urge you to love them fervently. If your relationship is strained, I beg you to make the effort (yes, again) to reconcile. Do not fall into the trap of waiting until “the perfect time”, “you get your ducks in a row”, or “tomorrow.” Do it TODAY. Remember that no one is promised the next breath – much less “tomorrow.”

Before I conclude, I want to address those of you who are alone. You have no living parents, children, or spouse. You are not forgotten – and you are NOT ALONE! There is a God who created you, who loves you – and who wants to spend eternity with you as part of His Family! Decide TODAY to become part of His Family if you are not,

You are that close to never having to feel alone ever again.