Black and White in our Family

My last post began this series of learning in a cross cultural family.

It began in 1987 and it will continue long after I'm living in my heavenly home.  It began with my daughter's marriage, idylically at first, and in time they became the parents of our first grandchild. He lit up our family's world from the moment he drew his first breath. His mom and dad struggled to overcome cultural differences and finally it just came crashing down around them.  By that time our second grandson had been born.  From then until today (almost 17 years) our lives have been intertwined with T and our boys. 

When they were little the reactions of others were sometimes surprising, and sometimes hilarious.  There was the woman in the grocery who commented as she approached the cart that held grand #1 in his baby carrier - "my, he has a good tan." (I'll say..a permanent one). There were curious (or rude) folks who just turned around and stared when we were together and there were those well meaning folks who thought there was something special about grandparents who loved these grandchildren.  Not so - the grandchildren were and are the special ones. The love they brought to our family cannot be measured.  Football games, and basketball games on weekends and during the middle of the week were the norm for nearly 10 years.  There were treasured moments riding in the car singing songs, praying together attending church together, kneeling at the altar for communion and most recently 2 high school graduations.  There have been moments that they had to deal with being "not black and not white".  Children called them names...they wondered why?   They've also thrived in situations that the statistics said they'd fail.  In addition to their family these boys had wonderful mentors and teachers through the years.  Wonderful people who have loved them and encouraged them to be all that God intended them to be. 

Through every moment the greatest strength and comfort for our entire family has been and continues to be the love of our Lord Jesus Christ.  And isn't that the way it's supposed to be?  Whether we're white, brown, black, red, yellow or polka dotted (sorry about that It just came out) we have a Creator who designed us as we are.  We are His people...not defined or limited by race or background.  He created us for relationship - first with Him and then with each other.  His Word tells me that His ways are not my ways nor are His thoughts like my thoughts.  Thank goodness!

Because of this great love of our God we have learned that our identity is not to be determined by the world's opinion of us or the color of our skin but rather our identity is in Christ.  We are joints heirs with Jesus...sons and daughters of God!
Leaning on His promises today!
Judy