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Hebrews 2:11 NLT

'So now Jesus and the ones he makes holy have the same Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters.'

I assume that everyone at some time wonders about the dysfunctional nature of blood family. I find it amazing that I have observed many differences between my siblings, parents and myself. Such dysfunction tears families apart, and I for one was pleased to find God and then the Church, assuming this would prove to offer a functional family.

Sadly, it didn’t. No surprise, since Church is merely a gathering of dysfunctional, fractured people who inevitably show a measure of that dysfunction in their congregations. So I might look to blood family and then to church family for sustenance, belonging and acceptance and be bitterly disappointed and even bruised from the encounter. However, we do have one functional sibling. This is Jesus, who having accepted the invitation to share our humanity experienced the suffering that accompanies every expression of human mortality.

Deep into our journey with MS, Katey and I sensed the loneliness of not having either blood or church family that closely involved with us. Only as we were encouraged by our brother Jesus, who was able to reflect with us upon his own suffering, that hope was reignited within our ailing hearts. Jesus who demonstrated that suffering was one of a number of ingredients that made up our mortal experience of life, a suffering that was only sustainable through obedience to God. We hobbled along beside each other, drawing comfort from the stories of our holy companion.

The confidence born of knowing that I am already embraced by God’s family, that Jesus is my brother, brings me great encouragement amid the fears and anxieties that accompany me through life.

QUESTION: How can you help your family (blood family or church family) become a healthier one?

PRAYER: Lord, thank you that you have adopted us into your family to share in your life and love.