The Michael and CaMarie Hoffman Family -2020 I remember sitting in a roomful of women one autumn Sunday when the teacher asked us to write down on a paper leaf what we were thankful for, then we would come up, one by one, to share what we had listed. I already knew what the results would be… and it was so. Almost every woman in that room – older, younger, single, married, parent or childless- wrote FAMILY.
I remember coming out of my daughter’s 6th grade graduation when we lived in the small town of Mapleton, Utah. The audience had been asked to wait outside for their children, who would pick up their items then come to the grass near the refreshment tables.
I looked across the vast lawn to find it covered with family groups. It was a beautiful scene I will never forget. I saw each 6th grader coming out of the school doors and rush to their family to be wrapped in their loving and rejoicing arms. They were rushing to those that knew and loved them best, to those that would be their faithful, life-long support group, to those God had given them to love and be loved by. God really had the greatest plan for us….
Each year I grow more grateful for my own family- my husband and children, and now grandchildren!, for my parents & grandparents, and my awesome siblings! (That includes all my in-laws!!) These relationships becomes dearer and dearer to me.
Perhaps you are without your family right now… because of loss, distance, or Covid-19. Your heart may long to be with them!! Or, you may be glad to be away!- if pain was your closest companion in their presence.
You may feel a failure in family right now, wondering what you could have done differently, or how you will ever repair what’s been damaged.
You may have been abandoned, betrayed, mocked, cut off by family. The pain in your heart may feel as if it will never heal.
Whatever your situation, you were given life by a mother and father. You are a miracle. You belong to the family of God. He is the father of your spirit. You are never alone as you call on Him and turn to serve your “brothers and sisters”.
Let us all praise God and thank Him for the gift of family!!
#GiveThanks
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