Family Reunions.

I come from a long line of short, food-lovin, uno-playing, hug-your-neck Italians and every couple of years or so we would all invade a park shelter near Detroit, Michigan in celebration of all we had in common, which oddly enough most often seemed to be our last name. Sure, we had t-shirts saying we were all related, and the stories of similar people made us all chuckle and jeer like it was only yesterday but really it wasn't our similar facial features, or blood types that made us a family.

We decided we were family.

For many it wasn't a conscious decision to have family - it came with the territory - but to engage and create relationships (even with people of the same last name) takes commitment and some sacrifice of "I" desires.

One of the things that amazes me about the church community in Acts was not how much they had in common (they didn't, many were foreigners) but how they recognized a cause bigger than themselves and therefore chose to lay aside the "I wants" and "I needs" that are so easily crop up among individuals and pursue the bigger picture that can truly only be accomplished by a united group.

I think we've seen the cause and we believe in it's power. Now, do we believe in it enough to look past the odd traits of another or disengage with someone because they're "just very different?" It starts with a choice to make it work. Do you want to be part of a family through not-so-funny jokes and cheek pinching through thick and thin?

The t-shirt has been made with your name on it and the party has been set - now all you have to do is make the choice. I hope you'll join in the "family reunion" at Music City.

Justin Fratt

Adult Ministries Coordinator