The knowledge that I belonged has always been constant with my mother and my wife. The first is obvious, yet the sense never departed. I knew it when times were good, bad, and in total chaos. With Cherry the feeling and knowledge came as part of the package. I understood and accepted it without thinking, probably a long time before she even realized that she cared about me. With others (God, kids, friends, work, etc.) the sense of being part of the team, part of the group has come and gone, much like the wind.
In a lively discussion yesterday I wondered aloud if I was part of team. I know that I am on paper, however the mystery of teams carries with it certain intangibles that I believe are necessary but just have not been there. If I am honest the question is posed often – examples includes my own expressions to others, my work team to me, and kids to parents. We all doubt what someone tells us or we read about.
You and I belong to God. You and I are God’s children, his friends, and the most valuable relationship he has in the universe. You and I are special; we belong to the special family of the restored.
At times I do not believe or feel like I belong. It is then that I stop, listen, watch, and find place. I stop and listen to God – through nature, his words in the Bible, through people on a journey with Him that have received words on my behalf. I watch and look for God in action. I look out for His acts of mercy, love, and grace in my life and others. He always on the move and there is plenty to see, if one takes the time to look. Finally, I claim my place in the body. “The body we’re talking about is Christ’s body or chosen people. Each of us finds out meaning and function as part of his body.” (Romans 12.4)
I find that I really belong, to and with God.
