A few days ago I woke up from a dream about my parents and the Christmas season. It was my most homesick moment since the first couple weeks of the Race. It is not surprising that I am missing home more than normal with the holidays approaching quickly. My dad’s birthday is today. My youngest sister is home from college playing Trivial Pursuit with my parents. My extended family is planning out the perfect Thanksgiving meal. And here I am in Africa, missing it all.
I love family. In my mind family is more than just blood relatives. It is an unshakable, unbreakable unit of people who love each other unconditionally. I am incredibly thankful for the way my parents and sisters have been this type of family to me. We know each other’s failures and flaws better than anyone, but I will always love them and I know they will always love me. It is the type of love that overcomes disagreements, the type of love that breeds forgiveness, the type of love that encourages and supports, and the type of love that follows you even when you are on the other side of the world.
I miss my family. I am thankful for every memory I have made with them. Watching “Band of Brothers” with my dad. Baking with my mom. Watching “Friends” with my sister Carrie. Camping with my sister Elizabeth. Doing puzzles with my grandma. Playing Ghost in the Graveyard with my extended family. I cherish these moments and so many more. I look forward to the moment when I can see them face to face again.
But God has not left me without a family even though I am on the other side of the world. I believe one of the beautiful things about becoming a Christian is that you are invited to join the family of God. Community is the word we normally use when describing the body of Christ, but I believe we are called to be more like a giant family. Unshakable. Unbreakable. Unconditional love for one another. Vulnerability without fear of rejection. This is our call.
If I cannot have my own family here with me, I could not imagine a better family than the one God has given me on the World Race. Not only am I surrounded by the 40+ members of G squad, but I have been blessed with eight beautiful sisters in Christ through Team Gladiators and Team Us. Just like any blood family, we don’t always agree and we don’t always get along. We see each other at our best and worst, but love each other still. I have been encouraged and loved so well by my sisters. I am so thankful for each one of them.
Besides surrounding me with an incredible new family, God has also confirmed a call to family inside me. When I first thought about doing the Race, the idea of leaving my family was one of the most difficult things to face. Why would God ask me to leave the family I love? His answer: to spread the invitation and love of true family to the world. So much of the world experiences family brokenness and it breaks my heart to know there are people who have never experienced the love of a true family. Every month so far, I have seen examples of Christians spreading the love of family beyond their own blood. It is a beautiful picture of the way God has chosen to take us into his family. I hope someday I have the opportunity to set the example for God’s love in a family.
So to my family in America –
If I could be in two places at once, know that I would be with you in a heartbeat. But also know that God has not left me alone. He is my heavenly Father and he promises to take care of me. He has given me a family where I am. I am surrounded by five amazing sisters whom I love and who love me well. I am trusting him to care for you and love you well while I am gone too. I love you and miss you so much! Happy Thanksgiving!
