Family or Friends?

I received a message this morning from someone I have only met once. It was thoughtful, kind and I started to think how incredibly blessed I am to have so many lovely people in my life. I started thinking about the words ‘friend’ and ‘family’. Related by blood was my first thought about family, but immediately I dispelled that thought. I did not give birth to my eldest son, but he is my son and his partner and children just as much a part of my family as the children I did carry in my womb. Is family those we have been brought up with and shared childhood, parents and extended family with? Hmm. I guess that is closer to what family means. Friends. ( I do not know definition in dictionary for either words) A friend can cover anything from someone known for years, to someone recently in our lives. But it doesn’t always convey how much that person really means.

BCRT. Four letters. Yet what they stand for (Bone Cancer Research Trust), touches my heart so deeply, for obvious reasons. But no matter what their connection, anyone involved that I have spoken to, emailed or met, feel like family. In fact even those I haven’t had direct contact with.

TKAC. Four more letters (The Kings Arms Church). A smile from one person the first time I walked in made me feel loved. It was not in a traditional church building, (I have quite an interesting story about me and churches which I will share sometime in the future). There was a table in the corner of old hall, with bag of sugar, carton of milk, tea bags, coffee in flasks and a few biscuits on it. Oh and cardboard cups. I think there were about ten people there, all casually dressed. I don’t recall seeing rows of chairs but guess there must have been a few out. On the surface, some may have felt it too casual with little attention to how it looked, but the love in that room was shining out and clearly their priority was showing what was in their hearts, rather than first impression of facilities. When the time for worship came, it was obvious Jesus was the focus and it felt we were all in awe of Him as we sang. I know this would not suit everyone and I am not saying whats right or wrong. I am purely sharing my thoughts and whats in my heart. TKAC feel like family too and are so very dear to my heart.

Having thought it through my conclusion is, that whether for moment or a lifetime, when we come into contact with someone, each will leave a footprint on our hearts. Some of those will get washed away quickly, others over time but the ones that leave the deep imprints become more like family than friends.

Just want to add a couple of footnotes today. For those who haven’t known me most of my life; I am not a Bible basher lol. In fact, I didn’t believe at all until later in my life. (That’s a whole other story!). And to my amazing immediate family, your footprints are the very deepest. Love you. x