Family

I've been thinking a lot about family lately.  The word encompases soooo much!  You have your immediate family, kids, brothers, sisters, moms dads, grandmas grandpas, etc.  You have extended family.  There is your biological family.  There are your closest friends!  You have a work family, a church family, christian family, God's family, a community family.  To me family is that which envelopes you and looks out for you, a feeling of belonging, a feeling of comfort and safety. 

I have learned a lot about family the past few months.  I don't know where I would be without my family!  My mom and dad and brothers and sisters, friends - and you know who you are - and my kids!  I may start crying just writing about it...

Tonight my children leave for 8 days with their dad.  I'm a roller coaster.  This will be the first Christmas I will not watch the glimmer in their eyes on Christmas morning; I won't dress them up and take them to candlelight service to celebrate JEsus' birthday.  My heart aches, but at the same time, my heart aches for those who are dealing with other losses - new and old - in their lives over the holidays.  I know my kids will return to me to celebrate with our family.  I know I still have them to hold when they return. 

I'm going off course a bit, but my words are guiding me.  It's hard to compare death and divorce, but in so many ways they are the same.  They are both a loss.  A loss of what should have been.  A loss of hopes and dreams.  A loss of family.

I am very fortunate God has supported me through my "family".  I will spend the next 8 days close to their sides.  Christmas Eve will still be a ham dinner, evening church, and smiles with mom and dad, brother "sister" and niece....Christmas Day will be with "family" who is just as much a part of my life...We will all move forward; and we will celebrate.  Celebrate Jesus!  Celebrate our Faith and Freedoms!  Celebrate Forgiveness!  And Celebrate Family!  

This verse grabbed me this morning...
Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again:  rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:4-7 NIV

Thank you family.... I love you!  Merry Christmas!