Family…. can mean so many different things. “A group of one or more parents and their children living together as a unit.” “A group of people united by certain convictions or common affiliation”. What comes to mind when you hear the word “family”? I think it is safe to say that we all have dreams, joy, love, and pain, tied to this complicated word.

This past week, I spent several days with my siblings—my family. Although we are not all biologically connected, we are all still a family. At the same time, my biological family was connecting for the first time. Unfortunately, scheduling didn’t allow me to be at both places at the same time. Let me explain…

My biological dad was adopted at birth. He died when I was 23 years old, never knowing his birth parents. 2 years ago, I completed a DNA test and located my biological family. Through the process, I have connected with 2 biological sisters of my dad, along with a handful of cousins. The journey has been incredible! My grandmother who suffered with addiction and mental illness, bore 10 children, giving them all up for adoption. Now, through the miracle of DNA, many of us have found each other, and we have begun putting the pieces of the puzzle of our lives together.

This coming week is Thanksgiving. It may sound strange, but it has never been a favorite holiday for me. Somewhere in my soul, I feel alone at this time, unconnected and sad, as so many people relish the time with family. That being said, I have a connection to celebrate, and I can allow God to fill this hole that I have always felt inside my heart.

Circling back to my visit with my siblings—my parents adopted my brother when he was 4 weeks old. My two sisters were my grade school to high school friends—who then became my sisters when their dad and my mom married each other. The four of us are siblings, because of love and choice, instead of a biological thread. Now, on the other hand, my cousins, aunts, and I, share a biological thread, and because of that, we have chosen to seek each other out and love each other.

I love this quote from John Piper. God is the author of life and the author of family! In Him, I have an unfathomable amount of family. We are brothers and sisters in Christ, through the blood of Jesus and His sacrifice on the cross.

My family may be a jigsaw puzzle made up of pieces that don’t seem to fit. But God in His sovereignty, sees all of us, and our brokenness. He has laid us out on the table of life, has arranged our shattered pieces, and brought us all together, making us into a beautiful collage. One day, when we are all united with Christ in Heaven, what a day that will be! The fellowship, the perfection of love, as we all gather together before the throne, to worship the Lamb of God, and celebrate His love and forgiveness! That my friends, will be a day of Thanksgiving!

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:15-17 ESV