It's A Family Matter

L to R, Trisha, Yocheved with Gila, Heather and Pinchas

Something is happening within me that I cannot explain. Things are taking place that keep me baffled. No matter how I try to decipher the phenomenon, and for me it is a true phenomenon, I just am not able to put rational explanation to the thoughts or the events. Yes, most will say that the Father is working overtime on me. He knows full well that I could use a good overhaul. Sidebar: There is always room for looking into the deep and pulling out more “see” weed. 

 

It all goes back to “family”. For the last few weeks “family” has been constantly on my mind. There are many reasons, I suppose, but with the constant thoughts of family I become overwhelmed with the thoughts of those who are biological and those who are “grafted in”. Over time, I have become more in tune with those grafted in than those who are biological. Don’t misunderstand; I love my Yah-given family very much. The problem for me is the lack of communications. There is some credence to the rumor that you can pick your friends but not your family. 

This past Shabbat, a portion of our prayer for mishp’kha (family) read: “ We thank You Abba for giving us family. The gift of a family comes only from You. We want to please You by loving and pleasing all those within our family. There are times Most Holy One, when members within our own bloodline do not enjoy the freedom that we have to express ourselves to You. This saddens us. They seem unwilling to take hold of the garment”. I might add that most are unwilling to even talk about it. Yes, there are those who attend church and read their Bibles, but for some reason there is no calm, sensible, open discussion concerning Your Word. I thank You for holding me blameless in this situation.

This past month I was very blessed to be with members of my family whom I have not met until Thanksgiving Day. Ah yes, thanksgiving day. Not a Leviticus 23 feast, and not by history a pagan feast. A feast inferred by Scripture (agricultural) and somehow declared in this country a national holiday. (Unlike Christmas I might add…Christmas, first banned in this country because of paganism then embraced because the people wanted it and it is good for the economy and happiness of the population.) But, thanksgiving with family from the marriage side, not true blood line to me, but very much family. It was a great gathering. Full of joy and happiness. The prayer verse infers that there is more than bloodline family. There is the family that You, our Father, have gathered. You, YHVH, brought us all together; You introduced me to my wife which enabled me to have expanded family.

This past ‘turkey day’ I did something I have refrained from doing for many, many years. I spent a week with others and stayed in their house and they seemed okay that my puppies were included. For most of my adult life, I generally find residence at some commercial establishment rather than disrupt the household of those I am visiting. Now, wasn’t that a nice way to say I like my privacy? (You can laugh now.  LOL)

The week was fantastic. Met many that I had not met, and renewed acquaintance with many that I have. There were about 20 or 23 of us gathered and I am so grateful that the host and hostess (bro’ and sis’ in law) have a very large and welcoming home. During the course of the week we learned of the passing of two members in our congregational family. This is where the baffling thoughts come into play.

Don and Jo DeRocher were taken during a plane crash while on their way to his father’s funeral. Father, I am so grateful that I was able to speak with Don before he took off. He and his wife were doing what they love; not loving funerals, but loving being together as he pilots his plane and they joyfully explore Your beautiful earth. Don reminded me of our weekly prayers when we express a desire to see Your face. He told me, “…isn’t that what we all want? What could be better?”

With all this so current, I then started reflecting all who have gone before me. All who are gathering to be taken up. Oh YHVH Elohim. You are a most wonderful and merciful El. You can take life and restore life. You can put us where You want us to be and we most often have no upfront knowledge that You are the One directing all things. Sure, we say it is all about You, but most often, we tend to forget until something occurs that causes us to reflect back. You are the explanation for the unexplainable. You are the reason for the events that don’t make sense as they occur, but come back with memories of being an awesome experience.

Heavenly Father, again, I thank You for the blessings You give. The blessing of a family, both biological and grafted in is more than I can express. Thank You for creating Love. Thank You for demanding that we all love one another; not just our known family, but for the family we haven’t met yet. Father, thank You for being with me these past couple of weeks; actually, thank You for being with me my whole life; even when I had turned my back, You waited patiently. I am truly blessed Abba. The gift of family is a gift I cannot repay. Thank You for having me in Your family. Amein!

Shalom and shalom, 

Pinchas, 

a/k/a Frankly speaking all the time.