FAMILY PICTURES

During the last year or so, I have been trying to deal with a challenge that has proven to be much bigger than I anticipated.  It all started while in the process of preparing for a family reunion the weekend of July 4, 2010.  If you have looked at my profile, or "about me" in this blog, you must have become aware that I'm from a large family. 

Not only are we a large family but we have always been very close.  This closeness (and number of relatives) has produced an unbelievable amount of pictures.  Each of us, (including the aunts and uncles, cousins [1st, 2nd, etc.], grand parents and grand children), has kept his/her own photographs.  Every one of us seem to have scores of albums and boxes and boxes of pictures to remember, to entertain and to share on any occasion we are together.

Picture taking has changed drastically in recent years also--from "Brownies", to 35mm and now to digital cameras.  The digital has become a phenomenon itself--with adjustments for before and after snapping a shot.  Add this to the ability many have with a computer for scanning, storing and organizing pictures and it is far more than most of us ever imagined.

All of this allows me to say that, believe it or not, I have over 12,000 pictures stored in various folders and categories both on my hard drive and in the cloud (or is it "over the rainbow?").  Now I'm able to look at them; share them without sending a box of prints; and find a particular photo without searching all day long.

I have always been sentimental and as the years keep coming faster and faster, the sentimentality does, too.  So, typically, as I look at some of our family pictures, the lumps in my throat get bigger and the tears begin to seep out easier.  As I look at albums that include my deceased parents, or events that hold special memories, keeping my composure is difficult, to say the least.

Earlier today, as I was reviewing some of those photo files and the "sentimental ole me" started reacting, something special came to mind.  One of my all time favorite scripture passages is Hebrews, chapters 11,12 and 13.  It began to dawn on me that reading chapter 11, the "faith chapter," was very much like looking at a family album.  So, naturally, I had to read the passage again today (in two versions, I might add).  And, just as naturally, the "sentiment" took over as I "looked" at my "faith family."

I love my family and am realizing, more every day, just how special they are.  I want to know more about them, keep in touch with them and share with them.  Just in case you are part of my long list of "kin folks", please know that I think the world of you.

Just in case you aren't part of my earthly family, I would love to have you (if your aren't already) as a part of my spiritual, "faith family."  The lumps in my throat, the tears in my eyes and the unspeakable joy in my heart well up as I picture you and I as part of "the family of God."

As I review the family albums of my "faith family," both in Hebrews, chapter 11 and the "faith family of God," the words that begin the 12th chapter are even more meaningful.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith..." (Hebrews 12:1-2a NIV).

Are you part of "the family of God?"

You can be!

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