Family and Friends

Family and friends: What is the difference?  Okay some say that blood is thicker than friendship, but how many of you have experienced a friendship that transcends that statement?  I have few people in my life that friendship is as thick as family.  I have also been disappointed by family members at time.

Family is supposed to take care of each other through thick and thin.  They are to be there in times of sorrow, in times of need, in times of celebration, and in times of just hanging out.  Family is supposed to be there for the spur of the moment, not needing a date on a calendar or a preset time for an event.

Committing to family is not only a nice thing to do, it’s actually the 5th Commandment from God: 

Exodus 20:12 Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.

So, why does family sometimes let you down?  Why don’t they keep in touch, call when you need cheering up, or just call to say hi?

Ephesians 6:1-4 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother which is the first commandment with a promise so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth. Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

I know that life gets in the way of living like a family trying to stay in touch.  But, is that an excuse or is there something else?  Don’t you realize that you’re hurting yourself as well as your family?  God also tells us:

Proverbs 11:29 Whoever brings ruin on their family will inherit only wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise.

I have the most amazing family and I am not trying to make anyone in my family feel guilty or uncomfortable, just comparing friendship to family.  Some family members feel like distant friends or just acquaintances.  I love my earthly family very much and would love for all of us to live close enough to get together for dinners, watch football, swim in the pool, or just hang out.  Unfortunately, we all have busy lives and different needs.

Like I said at the onset I have only met a few people in my life, not counting my immediate family, that are more like family than friends.  Those friends are also true believers in Jesus Christ and I do believe that if you live for God it is very easy to become more than friends, but a family member in God’s household.

Hebrews 2:11 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.

One of those persons that I have met in my lifetime was Jesus Christ and He has been more than a friend to me.  He is my Savior.  I was listening to Casting Crowns’ song: “Your Love is Extravagant”. The lyrics go like this:

Your love is extravagant
Your friendship, it is intimate
I feel like moving to the rhythm of Your grace
Your fragrance is intoxicating in our secret place
Your love is extravagant

Spread wide in the arms of Christ is the love that covers sin
No greater love have I ever known You considered me a friend
Capture my heart again

Spread wide in the arms of Christ is the love that covers sin
No greater love have I ever known; You considered me a friend

Capture my heart again
Your love is extravagant
Your friendship, it is intimate

You need to listen to this song, very simple yet concise song, just like Jesus. Listen here

So why do I write about this?  Like I said I love my family very much and want the very best for them, even though I may sound like a “know-it-all” sometimes.  But it’s because God told me to.

Mark 5:19: …"Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you."

Over the past couple of years I have also become more acquainted with my extended family, in-laws/nephews/nieces/cousins/aunts/uncles and I am truly excited for them to be a part of my life.  I look forward to each time that we can get together. 

As for those other friends that I consider as close as family, I just thank the Lord that He put you in my life. Thanks Rob, Annette, and Cole.

Joshua 24:15  But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.