The Family Bridge

LAX Airport - June 2, 2009

There's a quote from Alex Haley that says, "The family is a link to our past and a bridge to our future."  How true for some but how scary for others!

As I've spent the last week hanging with a group of people that are quite dear to me who either have the same last name or the same blood, I have had plenty of time looking at the importance and influence of family, both good and bad.  I do not have to look very far into the past to see the examples of aunt, uncles and some incredible grandparents that have molded and displayed selfless and sacrificial living.  Those impacting my life the strongest and still having a major effect today is my mom and dad.  It's still a proven fact that parents are the most influential people in the lives of their kids.  Not sports heros or those on the big screen or rock stars.  Good 'ol maw and paw.  I'm thankful mine saw the importance of leading by example and spoke truth and love into my life from an early age (and still do to this day).  

Recently, I've worked with students whose parents and family units were not exactly a "Leave it to Beaver" replica (or Simpson's for that matter!) and my heart would break on hearing another story of a parent who missed an opportunity to love and teach their child in a positive and encouraging way.  While we at the church can never replace a parent, we did offer a community and atmosphere that spoke grace, unconditional love and affirmation into each of their lives.  

No matter where you are on this earth, a sense of family and community is important and essential in our lives.  The stellar thing is, not only can we be loved, accepted and included into a circle of caring and redeeming people but we can be the one who extends that offer to others who desperately need it.