Last week at my appointment with one of the cardiologists, she tried to put me at ease by saying, “we are all one big family here” in reference to the heart unit at the hospital. My first thought was, “”a family I do not want to be a part of.” Side note- my heart is in good shape just out of rhythm.

Growing up in a family with abusive parents, I had the same thought about my biological family. I did not want to be a part of it. That is a big reason why what Jesus said in reference to Mary and his half brothers coming to ‘take charge’ of him resonates with me so much. In Matthew 12:48-50 we read:
He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”
When we become Christians by trusting in Jesus and his death/resurrection for us, God adopts us as his children. We become part of a new family.
I have friends at my church who are my go to people. They are the ones I confide in, seek advice from, and want around when things are not going well for me. They are the ones I have mutually encouraging relationships with. They are the ones who are a safe place to land. They are my chosen family.
It all begins with believing in Jesus. John 1:12-13 says:
Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
The cardiologist was trying to communicate to me that the ‘family’ in the unit will help me with healing for my heart. My brothers and sisters in Jesus help with the healing for my soul.
Thank you for reading. God Bless.