2 Samuel 7:18 “…Who am I, Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?”
In this season of giving thanks, this cry
from David to the Lord is something that has been rolling around in my mind. Living so far away from our family, life has
been missed. More than just birthdays or
the holidays, but the everyday moments that make up our lifetimes. Cheer competitions, baseball games, piano
recitals, school parties, a day at the park… the little things that mean just
as much as the big ones. The gaps in
conversations, forgotten stories to express, days…weeks passing without
contact, make it clear that we are missing each other’s lives.
My parent’s recent visit has reminded me of
something true in our lives. The miles
and minutes lost do not define who we are.
We are a family, regardless of lost time, tied together with love and
God’s unfailing grace. An unfailing
grace that has crossed paths and guided decisions, healed wounds and provided
peace and joy, and most of all has brought us out of dark places and into the
light where we can be a reflection of Him.
Life has not been perfect, nothing ever is. Through all of the sadness and the missing
parts of our everyday lives, this is what I can say for certain…
Who am I, Sovereign Lord, and what is my
family, with all of our faults and shortcomings, lost years and missed
opportunities, brokenness and sinfulness, that you have brought me this far, to
a place of sweet peace and salvation, a rich and full life of blessings,
resting fully in your faithfulness? I
look back to where we have been, where we are, and where we are going and see
God’s hand at every turn. I see how far
He has brought us, and for this, I am thankful.
