Families come in all sizes
Hey RIG fam, it’s Shellie here. I was knee deep in Christmas decorations when my mind started turning around on a familiar thought pattern, and I found myself wanting to give words to something I pray will meet someone right where they are with a strong dose of encouragement.
The reality is that I’ve got a big family, and Chrys has got a bigger one! But I’m always cognizant of your family situation and I want to speak to those of you with smaller circles. Disclaimer? I’ve attempted to address this topic before, but I never feel like I’ve said what I really wanted to say, so I’m slowing my Christmas roll to try, try, again!
The previous times when I’ve brought this topic to the table in our podcasts, the conversation takes off in a different direction. (You
may have noticed that Chrys and I are never short of words. Ha!) We inevitably begin encouraging those who aren’t part of a rich family legacy of faith, where all the branches of the family tree are tended and nurtured, to know that you can be the one that starts that type of legacy living. That’s a beautiful truth. It’s one Chrys and I deeply believe in and one we will continue to put out there.
However, the reality is that many in this community simply don’t have the opportunity to participate in the daily lives of a larger immediate and or extended family, for a host of reasons. Perhaps you’re an only child who had one child and that child had one child. That’s just one little example. I could pen more, and I could be way off here, but I can’t help feeling there might be times when you see larger families celebrating and you feel that somehow yours is less than because your circle is smaller. If that meets you where you are, please hear me. This blog is for YOU!
Your life matters. Your family has purpose. Your grandchild is precious.
What’s more, your intentional acts of loving that one child and pointing that sweet one to Jesus can change his or her life. And who knows? That child may grow up and change the world. So, do all the Christmas things! Bake the cookies. Build the gingerbread houses. Read the nativity story together and know that your living robust faith is as important to the great big family of God, as any other. Oh, and take the pics! And if you have the mind to post them, do it with great joy and tag us so we can cheer you on here at Rocking it Grand. Merry Christmas to all and to all a beautiful season!
Hugs,
Shellie
