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the blessing of family

Psalm 122:8 NLT
For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, "May you have peace."

It has been a HUGE blessing the last week to spend time with my family in Oklahoma.  Living so far away from my parents and my brothers has never been easy, but it makes out time together that much more important.  I will cherish these days and the memories that we have made for a long time.

Another part of this that is a blessing is the opportunity to be here.  Our church family, The Community Fellowship, continues to support and encourages us and allows for this kind of visit.  I've got to say thank you all those who filled the gaps while I was gone.  Again, this has been so good.

The people I have connected with have made a difference in my life.  I've learned so much from these people through the years.  Each evening I've tried to take a few minutes to think back, to hold on to and remember the lessons that came today and that have come through the years.  Even today I rode around with my dad and the conversation was priceless.

No, my family isn't perfect.  I'm not perfect.  Yet through our own disfunction, we have seen the hand of God and lots of miracles.  God has opened doors, and He has blessed us with so many relationships that could never be replaced.  Forgive me because I am going to miss someone, but in the last few days here are some folks that I've enjoyed time with and learned from: Tricia Elliott Stafford, Gary and Kathy Marrs, Vernon Long, Marilyn Dickey and my brothers Steve and Ric and my parents Richard and Judy.

For our families to be blessed and to be a blessing, we have to work at our relationships.  With time strains and stress along with all kinds of complications, far too often our families are in losing battles.  It is God's desire for our families and our relationships to be blessed.  If we aren't focused on God, we miss the best God has for us.

I'm grateful that many of my family members and friends have set their direction on God.  Those relationships are blessed.  We are blessed.  We are blessed to be a blessing.  Let's make sure that continues for you and for me.

Colossians 3:16 NLT
Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.

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