Last weekend, Chris and I were lucky enough to spend it at Orange Beach with AHERO at their 5th Annual Warrior Hook-up Event. AHERO connects veterans and first responders through outdoor activities as a means to heal from physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wounds. It was a weekend with over 40 veterans getting to know each other, sharing and healing. While neither of us have been in the service, we were fortunate enough to be part of the volunteer staff.
When the weekend was over and Chris and I were driving home, we were at a loss for words on how to accurately describe what we experienced. Over and over again, we saw camaraderie and friendships grow. We saw people bonding over common themes and common service. More than once, we heard people describe this weekend as spending it with “family.” It didn’t matter that they weren’t actually related or that they’d only just met; they were joined together because of AHERO and their service to country. By the end of the weekend, we were fortunate enough to say they were our family, too.
As believers, we are also part of a different family, God’s family. The Bible gives us clear scripture that tells us who our Father is.
“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,” –John 1:12
“And I will be a Father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me,” says the Lord Almighty.” –2 Corinthians 6:18
“Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’”—Galatians 4:6
Whether your earthly family is right beside you every step of the way or has abandoned you long ago, when you accept Christ as your Savior and call on His name, you become part of the family of God. You now have a Father who will never leave you. You do not have to walk alone.
Not only do you have a Heavenly Father who is there, you have your Christian brothers and sisters who are connected to you, as well. As members of that family, we should be displaying God’s love to each other. These men and women from the weekend’s events showed me what that looks like. They encouraged, they pushed, they challenged, they supported, and they loved.
Even though the weekend is now over and everyone is back at their homes around the country, we are still texting back and forth, checking on each other, and getting to know each other better. I pray that each of you see you have family in the body of Christ.
If you don’t know what it means to have God as your Father, please reach out to me or Emily. We’d love to talk to you about how you can become a part of the family of God!
~Erin
Iron Porch 