Let's talk about family-hood !

Dear Family of Love,

Happy Being Thoughtful and Thankful Thursday!  I hope everyone is having a good day so far. I really love this time we spend together. I can feel everyone waiting for today's blog and what God will have me  write for you. Today God wants us to revisit  and look at family-hood and why it is important not just for us but God. What is your definition of the word family? Let's look up the word in the dictionary and see what it says click on the links for the definition:
Family definition or this one from Merriam Webster Definition of Family

That certainly gives us quite a bit to chew on. I call you family because that is how I choose to treat you not as strangers but as dear family members who are even more closely related than neighbors but you are that as well. I also call you dearly loved and beloved friends.  God calls us all to be family  and  neighbors and treats us as God's beloved children. God doesn't let us off the hook when he calls us to love one another. God needs us to help make peace and be good stewards of God's Cathedral of Life and in this world. God calls us to be loving and compassionate to one another  We are to be in the words of this prayer:

“Christ has no body now but yours. No hands, no feet on earth but yours. Yours are the eyes through which he looks compassion on this world. Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good. Yours are the hands through which he blesses all the world. Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, yours are the eyes, you are his body. Christ has no body now on earth but yours.”

― Teresa of Ávila

See what happens when you exchange Christ for the word Love, Yours for the word Love. Isn't that powerful? Now that is familyhood to me.

Tonight let us meditate on the word family and how we are to be with each other. We will take our time to do this. But first let us do our familiar phrase to get us centered.

Be still and know that I am God.

Be still and know 

Be still

Be

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God we give thanks for our family and we pray for each and every member with love in our hearts and compassionate manners.

God we pray for all of our family members who are struggling in any way.

God we pray for all of our family members who are ill. We pray that your healing touch  will be upon them. 

God we pray for all of our family members who seek to divide and not unite. We pray that their hearts may be softened and minds changed by the power of your love.

God we pray for all of our family members who are members of the animal, vegetable, and mineral kingdoms that need conserving and protecting.

God we pray for all of our family  members who are dying and those who have died remembering.

God we pray for peace in this fragile and broken world that our family members may be drawn together in love and unity.

God we pray for our family members who have been victimized by violence and abuse that they may find the help they need to live without fear but with confidence, resilience, and strength.

God we pray for our family members who are mourning and pre-grieving that they may find comfort and that we may lovingly respond to them.

God we pray for our family members who lack shelter, nourishing food, and warm clothing and all who are the least of these. We pray for their safety tonight and always.

God we pray for ____________________

God we give thanks for_____________________

God we remember all of our family members who graduated from all educational institutions.

God we pray for all who are out tonight driving that they may be kept safe from harm.

God we lift up these our prayer in the Name of Your Son, and Our Brother Jesus who makes us all family through the Water of Life we call baptism. Amen.

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Good Night Loved Ones and Dear Family Members! I love you and give God thanks for you each and everyday! Tomorrow is Keeping the Faith Friday Fearlessly Without Fretting! Do not be afraid love takes away all fear and gives one strength and courage. 

I love you dear family!

Sara