Blood

God is always busy working things out before they even happen.  He looks into our future and knows exactly what we will need and when we will need it.  It may not make complete sense at the time, but He has it under control.  Maybe you think you have it all figured out, when in fact God's plan is so much bigger than mere human understanding can fathom. We had always thought that adoption was God's answer to our being advised not to attempt pregnancy anymore. We see now that when God set us on the path to adoption, He had more in mind for us than just raising kids. He has used adoption to teach us lessons that we are applying to every aspect in life.  We have said that "DNA doesn't make family". I've shared many pics on Facebook that feature that very sentiment as a part of advocating that adoptive children are just as much family as any other child, regardless of blood.  Recently trials have showed us that God meant us to learn that lesson for other reasons.

What is a family?
Life is full of choices. Some people will choose to love, support and be there for you, and some will choose not to. Some people will choose to knock you down, and others will be there to pick you up.  DNA alone doesn't make a family.  Being family is a choice.  A true family is made up of individuals who love each other regardless of blood.  It is a commitment that is held together by honesty, trust and a desire to lift each other up, to support each other and to encourage each other through life. It should be rooted in Biblical teaching and fully relying on God and God's will.

Blood That Matters
There is ONE blood that does make a family. The blood of Jesus Christ. His is the blood that matters most, the only blood that really matters at all.  Jesus, God's own son, sees no divisions of DNA or color.  He loves ALL.  As a family of Christians bought and paid for by the precious blood of Christ, we are to live a life that reflects Christ in us. We are new creatures, born again... co-heirs in Glory with Jesus (our brother). We are family. We are BLESSED to have so many brothers and sisters by THIS blood.