 | |  | |  | |  |
Dedicated to my Sister-In-Law, Deborah Buckman-Lawrence
By Lisa E. Lawrence-Hudson, aka RawEssence
Last week I met a stranger, who happened along my way,
When he asked me who my family was - I gave my name and where we stay;
Again this stranger looked at me and asked, "But who are they?"
To say the least I was confused, not knowing just what to say;
He laughed a little then said to me, "Ask Jesus when you pray."
The other night as I sat thinking, my mind drifting as if in dream
My thoughts turned to this stranger and what his question means
I asked the Lord to guide me so that I could begin to see;
Who my family really is and what they should mean to me.
Before I began to slumber, after retiring to my bed
Jesus began to whisper, this is what he said:
"They are the pieces to the puzzle, that makes your life on earth complete,
It is my patience and compassion that through them makes sorrows sweet
The blood that binds the family symbolizes this blood of mine,
For it is only my blood that can save the souls of your family and all mankind;
My Father created families as part of his master plan,
To preserve order in his creation and fight the enemies of man;
I cried, "Oh Merciful Jesus!, My Savior who is wise and true;
Please explain to your servant just what a family is and what they are meant to do?"
A family is more to you, my child, than simply blood that ties;
They are the one's that look on you with love shining in their eyes;
They should provide you comfort during those times
you are feeling ill;
But if they don't take up the yoke, Then I most surely will;
Because in my Father's mansion, his children always have a home;
My father remembers each of his own and I make sure they are not alone;
But Jesus, I asked the Savior, these people I call Family-
Until I return to the mansion, just who are they to me?"
My savior replied, they're your guardians, that my Father has appointed for thee;
To keep you safe and nurture your heart until you return with me.
Its the uncle or aunt you knew when young who bounced you in their lap;
And when your parents were unable, stepped forward to feel the gap
It is the Grandmother who told you stories of a life before she was free
and divulged to you your family's past and how hard times used to be;
It's the grandfather who took you fishing maybe taught you how to plant a tree;
It's the Father who was always proud of you simply because you're his legacy;
It is the mother who always listened to your troubles so patiently;
Who nursed you to health in spite of poverty and wealth
and told you what you could grow to be;
She's the one you always run to,
When you are right and even wrong;
She praises and punishes accordingly
For she wants you to grow righteous and strong.
It is the brother who knows your secrets, and loves you just the same,
He'll die to defend his sister's honor and protect his family name;
He sets and lives a standard so that his sisters may understand;
All of the things MY FATHER requires for a man to be a man;
He honors his mother with dignity;
His cherishes his wife above all the rest;
And of all the good that he has in life;
He gives to my Father his best;
As his sisters observe his patterns ,
Then they too will begin to see;
All of the virtues they should seek in a man
Before starting their own family.
It is the sister who is full of giggles,
that lifts her brothers when they are down;
She tells them to keep their heads up high and feet on solid ground;
She is confidante to her sister;
She is her mother's most loyal friend;
Because whenever your family is in distress
it is on her that you most depend"
These are things the Lord revealed
That a family should mean to me.
I wiped tears from my eyes
as I visualized this simple reality.
It is not the fancy clothes we have,
In fact, no man-made thing;
It is not even the common blood we share
as strange as that may seem;
It's not their presence in the family church
nor the number of degrees they hold;
It is the Family who stays and prays together
That is life's true great reward;.
It is the bonding of equals, looking out for each other
Through ups and downs - simply loving one another
From locksmith, laborer to CEO, no member reigns supreme
Because in my Father's house we are all as one
This is what Family Means.
©Lisa Lawrence-Hudson
October 29, 1995
| | | | | | |