A TREE IS KNOWN BY IT'S FRUIT

When a family is very large the chances of not knowing many of them is very probable. The funny thing is we work with them, belong to the same gym, club or church and see them about town and God forbid dated them. We notice family traits or just feel familiar with them and yet we cannot remember where we know them from. It's important to know your family tree. Know where you come from. Lifestyles, religious beliefs, or locality may change the way you see one another; the one thing it will never change is the blood running through your veins; your bond; your beginning and end. If nothing else is definite in this world...FAMILY...is. Whether you like or not.

"The most powerful ties are the ones to the people who gave us birth it hardly seems to matter how many years have passed, how many betrayals there may have been, how much misery in the family: We remain connected, even against our wills."-Anthony Brandt

Our family ties are the ones whom have made us who we are. Whether the ties are positive or negative they effect us in ways we ourselves do not realize. Although, I am female, my children and mother call me James because I act so much like my grandfather. I take pride being compared to my grandfather because he and my relationship was very endearing and I can honestly say he held my trust from my birth to his death. He was just the type of person that was very open with his feelings. He was a very good judge of character and most of all he loved my grandmother until death separated them. If nothing else can be said about a man, you must admire those men whom only love one woman for the rest of their lives. Betrayal in a family is one of the most hurting experiences one can face because betrayal is something one would expect from others; not family. Once the betrayal or what we perceive as betrayal takes place the back biting begins. Now you have family members against one another and eventually other family members become involved. It's nothing uglier than a family turning on one another. Unlike with others, families tend to hold grudges for many years and their younger generations suffer. To me the ability to forgive someone to whom you have no blood ties and not forgive the ones in which you do not, Is Silly. You can forgive someone that is not family; but you refuse to forgive the one that shares a blood line with you? WOW!

Another factor that will drive a family apart is the outside interference. IN-LAWS. Some find it their business to separate one from their family. It's not your business! As a spouse you are to comfort your mate during the battle; once the flag has been waved and forgiveness is in order..stand aside and let your spouse make the call of whether they are going to forgive or say goodbye. MIND YOUR BUSINESS! This is the one thing I have always told my children...if you marry someone and they see the opportunity to come between you and your family that person does not mean you any good; therefore handle it.

My grandfather has always said "To be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." -Dr. Seuss

The love of family is one of life's greatest blessings. The commonality of pain, fears, anger, likes and dislikes are stronger with family members than non-family members. Within a family all things are held dear; or at least they should be. No one will ever understand you like the ones that are your blood. This is why we need Family Reunions...they are the rejuvenation of families. When I was a child I soaked up knowledge from the elderly as if I was a sponge and the one thing I heard all of them say was "If you look deeply into the palm of your hand, you will see your parents and all the generations of your ancestors. All of them are alive in this moment. Each is present in your body. You are the continuation of each of these people." Thich Nhat Hanh

How remarkable is that?! So many people have it twisted. They feel as if it's all about them and forget about God and Family. This is how so many fail due to the errors of their ways:

"No matter what you've done for yourself or for humanity, if you can't look back on having given love and attention to your own family, what have you really accomplished?" Elbert Hubbard

I have some in my family that does not deal with the other family members because our religious beliefs are different. How ignorant! We are all serving the same God...different methods. God is love and he's not the author of confusion; so why would you tear your family up over this type of madness? It's senseless.

For all the kind words and experiences I have spoken thus far about family is true; however, the down -size to family is they can also be your worst enemies. Family members can fabricate lies and rumors most people (idiots) will believe. These people (idiots) tend to believe family knows facts, when in fact the accusations could not be further from the truth. These particular family members and idiots I personally can do without; because there is no truth in them. As a matter of fact they are worst than snipers. A sniper takes you out instantly as oppose to family members, which are character killers having a sneaky approach in which they softly and slowly kill your character with their tongues of daggers. Mean spirited, jealous hearted individuals. Childish with their play. Whispering on the playground against family members to other family members. Scheming until their target is destroyed or dam near destroyed.

LOVE LIFT US UP WHERE WE BELONG!

You cannot exclude family members. This is not a privilege; this is a right of heritage. This is very irritating because if you cannot handle it; then do not attend. A Family Reunion is for each and every family member not just some. It's very irritating to be arranging a Reunion and certain family members can't bury their bones. They want to relive old hurts and have an unforgiving spirit. Reunion generally means bringing what has been lost back together again; to restore. If I know nothing else; our family needs restoration and this is the the time God has appointed. This is the last chance for many of us and if by chance our time ends before the physical reunion. We are blessed to witness the event occurring on "Facebook" where we are able to communicate and view pictures of one another's families. With all that is in me....I am ready and my prayer is:

Lord carry each of us on the wings of love

While we reunite as our ancestors watch from above.

Let this event be filled with joy for every woman, girl, man and boy.

Give way that past hurts, grudges and back biting be destroyed.

Bless us sweet Jesus, where the Love Of Family fills this void.

In every inconceivable manner, the family is the link to our past, bridge to our future. Either you deal with what is the reality, or you can be sure that the reality is going to deal with you. Nobody can do for little children what grandparents do. -Alex Haley

This is why it's so important to perserve your family. Some hurts and pains are too powerful to overcome; but family should stay together. The love of family overcomes emotional torture. Love is a blessing from God and the Love of Family is heaven. We all must remember "A Tree Is Known By It's Fruit." God Bless.

Copyright 2010.

Biblical Parallels

Jesus says in Matthew 7:15 and following, "Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly they are ravening wolves. You shall know them by their fruit. Even so every good tree brings forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit...Wherefore by their fruits you shall know them."

Jesus demonstrated what He was saying by actions. "Jesus said unto her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. He that believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.'" (John 11:25). Jesus said: "I am the bread of life...."(John 6:35) and he fed the five thousand. It was natural, it was easy to believe Him because He did not just talk the talk. He walked the walk. He illustrated his words by actions.