Family

Today Marilyn took my mom back to Richmond and her mom back to Lynchburg. Later this afternoon my cousin, Brenda Lee Hardison, arrived to stay with us a few days while she's attending a conference in DC.

Brenda is two years younger than I am. When we were kids, we would play school and I would be the teacher. (I told her today she still owes me some homework papers!) We were like brother and sister. Although I don't see her very often, when we do we pick up where we left off last time. We share so many memories together of hanging out at our Mamaw's house (my grandmother) and playing together. I still remember her seventh birthday party when she lived on Genacre Lane in Richmond. Her cake was shaped like a seven. I thought that was cool.

Now I am part of God's family with lots of brothers and sisters. Sometimes we can walk down the street or through the mall and spiritual brothers and sisters walk on by, but we don't know who they are.

Mark is staying with us a few days. He's a brother like that. I knew him when we lived in Birmingham, Alabama,  and now he's a missionary in Costa Rica. My son Jonathan spoke at a Youth Camp he directed a few weeks ago. He had to come to DC to take care of some things so he can get a permanent visa for his family to be in Costa Rica. So he's sleeping in the basement as long as he needs to. Family.

Family is a great gift from God. I have a responsibility to my family members, and they have responsibility for me. We are to care for each other. Today I rode the Metro with Brenda into DC to help her find her way around Metro Center when she has to change trains early in the morning. We are family. We look out for each other.

With a family, we are never really alone.