What is Family Anyway?

Today has been an interesting day. Twenty years ago my hubby asked me to marry him. This morning I dragged my family outside in the cold at the crack of dawn to take family pictures. We haven’t done family pictures in seven years. They’ve been threatened, coerced, and then threatened some more; no matter what, they would not mess up my family pictures in any way, shape or form!

And it was fun; cold, but fun!

This afternoon, hubby and I took some of the youth from our church, as well as our own kids, and went on a mission. Earlier this fall, the girls Bible study had come up with the idea of collecting blankets and then taking them this weekend to pass them out to the homeless, along with the Lovewell bags. (You can read more about that here.) We piled the kids, blankets and bags into our van and went off in search of someone to give them to.

As we drove downtown into the heart of the homeless, we were saddened to realize we did not have near enough blankets; or bags for that matter. We had to choose where to pass them out because we realized there were certain areas where there were so many homeless, we’d never be able to provide enough for them.

And yet, we prayed and asked God to direct us where to go. At one point we stopped and the boys got out to pass out the blankets and bags. The people were so grateful; it is so cold out tonight. One of the men took a blanket and said,

“I don’t need this, but thank you, I’m giving it to someone who does.”

They were sleeping in boxes, make-shift tents, and on the dirt ground in a lot next to the road.

Over and over we pulled to the side of the road, passed out blankets until we ran out, and then continued to pass out the bags. They’d see our van pull over and come running when they realized we were handing out something special for them. Having no home, they still smiled and said “Thank you” or “God Bless You” as we presented them with a small token: socks, snacks, water, and hygiene items.

And they’d tell their “family” to come over and get a bag; or they’d ask for an extra to hand to their friend.

They took care of one another. Family.

As I sit here thinking over the day, I am grateful for the home that I have. For my family and friends.

For God giving me a daughter who has such a heart for those who have so little.

We’re already talking about continuing. Next time we’ll bring more blankets. Next time we’ll add sandwiches to the bags that we pass out.

This week we celebrate Thanksgiving. I miss my family who is so far away and I don’t talk to nearly enough. I hope they know how much I love them and miss them.

And I thank Him, for reminding me of all that I have. Twenty years ago I never dreamed of a day like this. A good day. And a wonderful twenty years of blessings.