bloodlines...

When our Good Pastor started his job in Dayton...

He spent his first year commuting...

While we awaited the sale of our home,

And, dreamt about what the future held.

Weeks at a time were spent...

Far away from each other.

It was during this season...

God was actively doing what He loves to do...

Transforming strangers into family.

Our God is so intentionally good...

Turning this traveling, homeless, needy pastor...

From stranger into son.

Giving him a home in a land unfamiliar...

Expanding his family line. 

When these unlikely stories merged...

A woman was given a son...

And the pastor was adopted into a second family.

It's mind-boggling to me...
To look back and see what The Lord was up to.
How He was lining up blessings in the midst of our struggle.

So often during these times...
We are tempted to be overwhelmed and disillusioned by what is hard...
Instead of being filled with wonder...
With what He is preparing our hands to receive.

I have lived just long enough to know...
That we have critical choices to steward in the midst of the difficult seasons...
Remember His promises and remain open to hope...
Or...
Use our own hands to nail the doors of confident expectation shut.

I have been known to hammer a few doors in my day.

Oh...
It is so much easier to look back from this side of things...
And see what The Kind hand of God...
Was up to all along.

I think that is why we are supposed to live with a "backwards mentality."
Because He works everything for our good...
And, total freedom has already been given...
We are able to live from a victory standpoint regardless of the situation.
We have been freed up from fears that try to keep us "nest bound."
He has given us wings to fly.

It's His blood that changes everything.
EVERYTHING!
Declaring us all family...

Deeming all other bloodlines irrelevant.

Even on the cross...
In His emptiest state...
He was filling voids...
Proving He can be trusted in the darkest times.
In the midst of His deepest moments of anguish...
Jesus lived out the value of family.
Placing His mother's care into the hands of another he deeply loved.
Because, He knew...
We cannot forever be with our beloved biologicals.

Reflecting on the words of King David today...
"In you our Fathers put their trust;
they trusted and you delivered them.
They cried to you and were saved;
in you they trusted and were NOT disappointed."
Psalm 22

His bloodline gives us sonship.
He is our Good Daddy.
He can be trusted.
He delivers and saves.
He does not disappoint.

family...

The bonds of family are formed and strengthened...

Right in the middle of the ordinary moments.

Moments too easily overlooked and undervalued.

If I am being totally honest...

There are many days..

I feel I'm better suited for making warfare than...

Equipping young warriors.

"Frazzled" is a familiar word I would often use to describe my heart.

Family...

They have the ability to expose us in the most unique ways.

With great precision...

They remove the layers we are comfortable hiding behind.

Empowering greater levels of nakedness.

Some days are playful...

Others feel quite painful...

And, yet... 

Letting those we love "in..."

Letting them see who we really are...

It's in these moments true community flourishes.

It's so important to have people in your life who are for you...

Especially when we aren't really "dressed for success."

Family...

Designed to be a safe place to fail and thrive.

Never intended to be a place of perfection.

Instead, a starting ground for us to grow strong in love and then branch out.

Extending the family tree.

With all my heart...

I want to live love with my game face on.

Right next to those I adore most.
Some days are easier than others.

Everyday...
I grow more and more thankful for The God who never breaks "family ties..."
Due to "bad" behavior.
And, everyday...
I learn more and more...
That family is really...
Just little boys and girls...
Coming together and agreeing... 
That it is safe to fully be yourself...
To learn...
To fail...
To risk...
And to succeed...
Without ever fearing abandonment.
That is the heart of Our Daddy...
Longing for all His smalls to live in true family...
Naked and unashamed.

Still learning.