• noun (pl. families) 1 a group consisting of two parents and their children living together as a unit. 2 a group of people related by blood or marriage. 3 the children of a person or couple. 4 all the descendants of a common ancestor. 5 all the languages derived from a particular early language. 6 a group united by a significant shared characteristic. 7 Biology a principal taxonomic category ranking above genus and below order.

 

If we truly desire to understand the meaning of family, or what makes families so special, it is imperative that we seek the One who created family, Almighty God.  How else can we, the finite beings that we are, even attempt to comprehend the concept of family without first exploring what the Creator of the heavens and the earth has to say about family from His very own mouth, the bible. 

 

Even before time existed, we get a glimpse of God, along with His family, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, working together to make something "good."  In the book of Genesis chapter 1:26, God says to His Son and The Holy Spirit,"Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness... " After God, along with His family, completed their task and saw everything that He (They) made, He said that it was "very good." (Gen 1:31) 

 

Your probably wondering, "Okay Cuz, where is this going?"  Be patient. Family, to me, is like the individual fibers, which are beautiful on their own, but when woven together, as in a ancient tapestry, create something very special, rather, "very good."  Now, meditate on the idea of our coming together, Lord willing, for a family reunion and how "very good" that would be.  How you will anticipate meeting the recently added "threads" of our tapestry (newborn babies, toddlers, etc) that will inevitably cause your eyes to sparkle and your smiles to widen.  Then to observe, the newly mature threads (teens, young adults) that were once young in the tapestry, but have grown tremendously, and are undeniably recognized within the fabric.  To reconnect with the integral piece of the tapestry (the adults), which are the threads that bind the older and younger threads. To see the gently used threads (our parents, elders) who have endured much and by God's grace did the very best that they could to keep us all together.  Then, respectively, to reflect on the threads who have completed their task and have gone on before us to their new home. Lastly, and most importantly, to honor and remember the One who made the tapestry at all possible, Jesus. For it was His precious blood that was shed on a cross that richly paid a debt that we could have never, on our own goodness, merit, or works afforded (John 3:16). 

 

So, as you look forward to our gathering, do not underestimate the significance of your presence and how you make this family "very good."

 

Love you all,

Sean Mornan aka the Last of the Muriel Kiffin Grands

God bless