“God sets the lonely in families.” Psalm 68:6
This is our church.
Snarfles was baptized here on Sunday.
Naturally the importance of our daughter’s life being consecrated to God was enormous.
Standing down front with godparents who have all become like family to us was healing for us on the deepest level.
But it was significant in other ways as well. It was Hoodie’s birthday and the 10 year anniversary of the passing of his sister, for whom Snarfles is named (not her moniker, of course, but her actual name which is really quite lovely….) and being in this space on that day was just right.
I cannot really put into words all that this place and the people have meant to our family since moving here two years ago.
The church saw me through a difficult and lonely pregnancy while Hoodie was gone and I was home with the boys for a year in an unfamiliar community.
The youth group incorporated Gray as one of their own and helped to ease an incredibly difficult move for a middle school boy.
Hoodie’s transition from a year of deployment and into civilian life was made much easier by the manner in which they welcomed him as though he had been there for years.
We had our vow renewal here last summer. Family and friends gathered to bless our union. The first time we got married was by proxy while Hoodie was in the middle east. (I joked with Hoodie that I needed some wedding pictures with both of us in them).
They have loved us. Not judged us. Made us feel that we make a difference and have something to offer. Incorporated us into the family.
This Thanksgiving I am grateful for my family by birth and by marriage. And doubly grateful to be a part of the family of God.
