All In The Family

Hosea 11:3 – Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk, I took them up in my arms; but they did not know that I healed them.

Jeanne wrote our own wedding song and it contained the promises we wished to make to bind our lives in life-long commitment. The vows were for husband and wife but grew to include a wider family that has developed over the years.

Jeanne has probably long ago forgotten the words of the song that she sang and the words I said — yes, we tried me singing and agreed that I'd better stick to speech — have been in my mind and my heart since the day we joined for life:

Yes, I will take you to have and to hold –
Today and always forever.
I give you my promise,
I give you my ring,
I give you my life in my hands.
God gave me life.
God gave me love.
And now God has given me you.

And that you has grown to include three children, assorted pets and an extended family that saw brother, niece and nephew, plus an assorted lot over the years, become part of the life we had created and join us in our journey, for better, for worse…

And somewhere in this is family and what it means to live our life in intimate relationship to one another and to many others. Give thanks and praise to our God for that grouping you call family this Christian Family Sunday!

Prayer: For our life and love with family and friends we praise you, this and every day. Shower us with the grace of Jesus Christ as we commit our families to you in prayer this day. Amen.

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