A New Year, A New Family

Happy New Year!

And, no... I didn't get married!

The reason why I am saying this year has brought a new family is because God has been opening my eyes to the realization that I have a family outside my biological relatives. Yes, I know these people have been there...but, have I really known that or deeply appreciated them? I think God has been teaching me something very special about family during these past holidays.

Holidays are often joyous times, but they can sometimes be hard. The holidays have been a blaring reminder of the death of a dream that I once had. What dream was that? The dream of always being surrounded by a loving family.

Except for my children, this year I have not had the chance to spend one holiday with any blood relative. Although I do have family not too far away, this year I was told on two occasions that I could not spend the holidays with family members. As a single mom who is alone with two children, the sting of rejection really hurt. The rest of my family lives in Spain, so I was left out of options.

I could have spent the past week wallowing in self-pity, but God has used this situation to teach me something new. Family doesn't consist only of those who carry the same last name or who are genetically close. Family members are those who want to spend holidays with me and share their love because of their own desire to do so.

This past week, family members have been those who have:
1. Invited me over after Christmas Eve service for dinner and caroling.
2. Taken me out to brunch on Christmas Day and shared a heart-to-heart, warm conversation.
3. Fed me tons and tons of food at Christmas Dinner (how many animals can you eat in one sitting?) and shared lots and lots of laughs.
4. Been constantly available to "talk through" issues I was facing with my children and their new blended family situation.
5. Toasted in the New Year with me, had me spend the night so I am not out on the road with a bunch of DUIs, and then invited me to join in on a church house fellowship on New Year's Day.

That's family.

Oh wait..... my dream hasn't died! I have been surrounded by a loving family during the holidays! Thank you, God! I know you have met the deepest need of my heart by placing these people in my life. Just as Hagar called God, El Roi (the God who sees), I know God sees me and has stepped in to surround me with a loving family. He doesn't need blood ties or a man to do that!

Maybe our families are not exactly what we dreamed of when we first fell in love, had our first kiss at the altar, or held our newborn in our arms for the first time. That doesn't mean God cannot create a beautiful family for us. My prayer for you, single mom, is that God give you a spiritual family that blesses your heart, as He has done for me this year.

Thank you to those who are a members of my spiritual family. I cannot use the word extended, because you're not. You are very, very close to my heart.