Family stories – January 21

Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 31; PM Psalm 35, Gen. 11:27-12:8; Heb. 7:1-17; John 4:16-26

This week, a manila envelope arrived at our house, addressed to Sam. It was heavier than a normal letter. He opened it and found a surprise inside: a stack of photos of his biological dad’s family, the genealogy of his father that went back four or more generations, and a letter. Sam leafed through photos he had never seen before, of his grandfather, also named Sam, his great-grandmother Opal, among others. The note from the sender – Sam’s half-brother’s mother Trish – indicated she wanted Josephine and Robinson to know more about their dad’s family – in name and image.

As some background, Sam’s parents divorced when he was really young; his mom married again and his stepdad adopted Sam when he was in elementary school, changing his last name to Harper. Sam grew up without contact with his paternal family and only learned of them in his mid-30s. It was at that time that he met his “bio-dad”, two half-siblings, cousins, and others in the Henson family. Over the years, the divide of earlier life has healed and family connections have deepened. Our kids know Sam’s (half) brother as Uncle Greg. They have cousins they admire and look forward to gathering again soon.

In Genesis 11, we read of a family tree. Terah was the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran. Haran’s son was Lot. Haran died while Lot was young, and so often Lot would go with his uncle Abram. Abram married Sarai. Nahor married Milcah. Terah took them on a family journey from Ur of the Chaldeans toward the land of Canaan, but stopped before they got there, settling in Haran. God spoke to Abram and told him to keep moving to a land ahead, “I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” (Genesis 12:2-3) The story of the descendants of Terah has been retold thousands of times.

As the oak trees have roots that connect them to the soil, we humans have roots within our relationships and the stories of our uncles, grandmothers, and those we love. We are tangled together in beauty and complexity. We share tales and nourish one another. We lean on our sister’s shoulder on a hard day. We laugh with our brother sharing stories of parenting challenges. We travel together to our homeland, retelling the stories of our heritage. We are driven and directed by the breath of God, whispering to us the promise that is in store. Abram was faithful and followed God’s urging. May his memory be a blessing to you today.

-- Katherine+

Questions for Reflection

What do you know of your family tree? Where do you feel curious to know more? What are you glad to know, and with what aspects do you wrestle?

Daily Challenge

Sit with the notion of naming descendants. Spend five minutes, reflecting on those who have honed your spiritual upbringing. Write down a spiritual genealogy of those who have influenced you. Sit in prayer, giving thanks to God for those who have come before you and guided you. Pray for God to use you as a guide for others who come after you, as well.