Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10: 23-25)
Here’s what I know from growing up in the church – family has become so much more than just my mom and dad and two brothers.
As a kid - church was a Sunday morning sitting with my grandparents, listening to my grandmother sing in her wonderful soprano. It was watching my parents sing in the choir – staring them down until they made eye contact and then trying to make them laugh. Church was my grandfather’s arm around me during the service. It was hugs from the ushers when I walked through the doors on Sunday morning. It was my mom handing me a couple quarters to drop into the offering plate when it was passed.
Church was grand piano music, choir anthems, and our pastor in his long gray robe, sitting with the kids down front talking about how God is like the wind. It was the organist playing “Jesus Loves the Little Children” as we marched out of the sanctuary to children’s church.
Church was families providing my family meals when my mom was waiting for her liver transplant and recovering after. And years later, continuing to provide for us through Mom’s various health concerns. It as providing for us physically and emotionally.
Church was Sunday school every Sunday morning! It was finally making it to the 5th/6th grade class for field trips with our teacher to McDonalds – after we’d won gift certificates for showing up and participating in class.
It was Holy Week services before school – it was racing my church siblings down the stairs to be the first in line for donuts. It was riding to school in the church van, all of us arguing over whose elementary school was better (Eastside, Westside or Northside)!
Church was being picked up by my youth leader before sunrise for early morning prayer breakfast every Wednesday when I was in middle school.
Church was Wednesday night fellowship meals and youth Bible study. It was arguing with my youth pastor that they couldn’t possibly have found the bones of Jesus – otherwise what were we all doing here!
Church was Confirmation class and youth group lock-ins. It was coming to an understanding of how the Holy Spirit moves. It was my youth pastor baptizing me in front of my church family. It was him challenging me to read my Bible daily and loving me even when I failed to do it.
Family is a church that practices Scripture – As Paul wrote in Romans 10 – We should Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above (our)selves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
See, family was finding sisters in my two best friends – relationships I wouldn’t have had it not been for church.
Family was sitting in a hotel room with a group of girls during a youth trip trying to talk through our understanding of the Trinity. We came up with an illustration using our index fingers - a straight finger was God, a finger bent at 90 degrees was Jesus, and a finger bent all the way was the Spirit. Same finger just different configurations...
It made sense to us at the time.
Family meant growing up with more than one set of parents – parents who didn’t hesitate to take an extra kid home on Sunday afternoons for lunch. It meant finding acceptance and encouragement when those parents became my youth leaders when I was in high school. It meant this bonus mom of mine, celebrating with me when I experienced God in a real way in worship during a weekend youth retreat. Family is when those bonus parents showed up at my mom’s bedside in her final days in the Hospice unit, when one of my bonus moms (a Hospice nurse) gave me the news I didn’t want to hear, but needed to hear, when she cried with me as I said goodbye to my best friend.
Family was those same parents celebrating with me as I prepared to move to Florida to begin a new job.
Family is stepping off the plane for a job interview, meeting Joan Priest for the first time and being wrapped in the warmest hug. Family is Ken then, looking at the dress I’m wearing and telling me I’m a little overdressed for Florida.
Family is being teased by Jerry Spurgeon on my first Thanksgiving away from home! Family is knowing he’ll laugh every time I criticize his gravy ladeling skills.
Family is finding a sisterhood of friends who want to study the Bible together. It’s Saturday mornings spent learning to paddle board and laughing so hard I can’t pull myself out of the water when I fall off the board. It’s text messages asking for prayer, voicing our struggles, and loving each other through the mess of life.
Family is a Sunday morning smile from Charlotte Halbert and a hug from Mary Hilton. Family is being pulled into active worship by Pastor Becky.
Family is a group of teenagers who sometimes tease each other incessantly, but ultimately love spending time with each other. Family is finding acceptance and encouragement.
Family is knowing you instantly fit within a group of people.
Family is knowing you’ve found a home.