Kingdom family is a precious thing.
As I have traveled the world these past few months I have been introduced to my family. They are people that I have never met, but who have something that I love: Jesus. They have opened their homes, such as the Stahl’s and the Cooley’s in Lima, Peru, they have fed us in their homes, such as the Timmer’s in Bolivia, and have loved us without knowing us. I am now in Gaborone, Botswana and have been introduced to yet another one of my sisters, Lesego (Leh-seh-hjo) who invited us into her home.
My family under Christ has cared for me, provided for me, loved me, prayed with me, sang with me… and it is because of our love for Jesus that this love for each other is possible.
“I assure you, “Jesus said, “there is no one who has left house, brothers, or sisters, mother or father, children, or fields because of me and the gospel who will not receive a hundred times more now at this time houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields with persecution and eternal life in the age to come. But many who are first will be last and the last first.” Mark 10:29-31
I love that this verse starts, “I assure you” for I really did leave my house, my brothers, my mother and father and he provided these things around the world; and in my time of need. I also think of Terri Cash on my squad who left her children and how he has given her children to care for around the world. The family of God is vast and filled with unique individuals who love the Lord and are loved by Him. I am grateful that I was in pain if only to meet the Stahl family and be blessed by their generosity.
And again, “Then his mother and brothers came to him, but they could not meet with him because of the crowd. He was told, “[Jesus] your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.” But he replied to them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear and do the word of God.”” Luke 8:19-21
Praise the Lord for family both here and now and in the eternity. As you finish I invite you to pray special blessings over the Stahl family and Lindsay as she prepares to come on the World Race.
