Family Matters

1 John 4:19

We love because he first loved us.

I gotta admit that even for an introvert like me, my birthday was perfect! Instead of curling up on the couch, with a good book, I spent quality time with family. We waste so much energy focusing on our differences that we miss our similarities. We have different interests, likes/dislikes, attitudes & preferences. Our love language varies. Some are affectionate, others aren’t, but we each bring our very own unique contributions to the relationship. It takes, all of our individual energies, to balance our family circle. We love hard, even though it doesn’t look or feel the same—it’s still appreciated & reciprocated.

Last night at Chili’s, I broke bread with family—to pause & yield to God with a thankful heart. It’s the twelfth month of the year, my immediate family circle wasn’t broken. We enjoyed the luxury of being physically & financially able to come together in unison to enjoy this God ordained time of celebratory fellowship. We don’t take it lightly that God has truly blessed us as a family unit. We have our fair share of differences; but we collectively, have our fair share of love.

Oftentimes, we express the importance of it taking a tribe to raise children; but fail to mention the healthy support system adults need to thrive. We don’t lose the need for social support as we get older; in fact, I think it increases with age. We were created as “social beings,” our need for love doesn’t expire with birthdays.

Even with the busyness of life, hectic schedules & obligations, family matters—it’s the foundation of our biological existence. God created the family structure for important reasons. When we feel “invisible” to the world, our family support provides intimate affirmations that we matter.

We make a difference.

We are needed.

We are loved.

My family “showed up” to take part in my celebration. Showing up was all the affirmation that I needed. It made every rejection, every exclusion & every oversight worth it! I never have to solicit love from a place where it already exists. We didn’t exchange hugs, offer long speeches of encouragement or say the words, “I love you,” but love was present. It filled the room. It was God’s divine way of saying, “Happy Birthday!”

Support may not come with a long list of accolades, a red carpet event, or with standing ovations but it shows up in the small things many take for granted. Support is a warm body in an accompanied seat that says...

I am here.

I see you.

I value you.

Thank God, family matters.