In the April 2009 publication by AARP, there was an article by Michael Caine, the actor, called “Crossing Generations”. In the article he said, “Family doesn’t only mean blood relations; we all have friends who are just like family to us.” He goes on to describe the relationship he had with a very good friend of his and he shares that after his friend passed away, the photos of him are reminders of their friendship. Michael says the photos, “Remind me that family isn’t only blood-it’s the friends you love, across the generations.”
What Michael said about friends and the generations really hit home with me. Not only can I relate to what he said because of my own experiences, but saw a direct correlation with the struggle we have in our congregations to define the word “family”.
Bottom line, it really doesn’t only mean blood relations. It’s about loving one another and being there for one another. How do we get this point across without using the word family? It seems we try to describe family in so many different ways so as not to offend someone who may not be part of a family as society envisions it, mom, dad, and the children. Isn’t it time we use the word as intended?
We ARE family, whether blood-related or not.
Isn’t it time we start using the word “family” in our congregations to mean all of us across the generations?
C’mon, get up and sing the popular chorus by SisterSledge:
We are famil y. I got all my sisters with me.
We are family.
Get up everybody and sing!
I don’t know about you, but I can’t hear this song without singing and getting up to dance with joy as I think about all the relationships I have been blessed with in my life. How about you?
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