Unexpected Blessing
Something I did not expect when I started out in ministry was pastoring the entire family. Perhaps it is a part of longevity in one location, but nonetheless, it’s been an unexpected and joyous blessing. My first and second Sunday’s family members from out of town came to meet mom and dad’s “new pastor.” And somehow through this joyous connection, I became pastor for the entire family near and far, for weddings, funerals, new babies, new grandbabies, family meals, baptisms, Bible Study, prayer and celebrations. I get phone calls and text messages from family members and sometimes send them an exceptional photo of their loved one.
I’ll never forget the funny things family members say like little Samantha when she was maybe 4 years old, I told the story of Daniel in the Lion’s Den and she matter-of-factly said, “I already know this one. I watched it on Netflix.” Or family members who come to surprise their loved ones on a special occasion. Or for the singles who have no family, meeting the network of amazing friends they have built around them.
God loves families. I love families and watching the dynamics and personalities differences between family members. What’s amazing about family is that every family gets its name from the Father. Ephesians 3:14-15 say, “For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.” Now I know the unspoken name of God involves every letter in the Hebrew alphabet and our names are made up of those letters. Yet there is something so precious that we not only get our name from God, but also the Father’s image is in us as God created male and female in God’s own image (Genesis 1:27). Hebrews 2:11 says, “Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters.” It’s amazing! We are made in God’s image, made holy by Jesus, and become a part of the family of God! There are no orphans in the family of God!
And so I continue to live in joy of pastoring the whole family. Who’s in?
