Going Beyond the Norm. . .
Prior to the pandemic, “traditionally” summertime would be filled with events ranging from family reunions, weddings to celebrating milestone anniversaries or life moments. Very recently, I had the opportunity to witness a beautiful love & life milestone. Seeing faces of loved ones where our custom of gathering has generally been connected to being together at a “Celebration of Life” service. But this time it was a joyful occasion to celebrate instead of being joined by remembering the life of a loved one.
In the room were connections and people who you may not see every day, yet a pure happiness for just being present. You know, the type where you don’t feel pressured to perform. . .give your entire story or feel the unspoken push of a person “prying” for you to just be a “tell-all open book”. You can just simply be there, with nothing being forced. Sitting back, observing and watching individuals it reminded me of how all families are not meant to be the same. I sat and gleaned from the diversity reflecting how God makes us all unique. It was a beautiful reminder that there is no harm if we are not alike. In reflection of conversations, to be in a space where everyone is not the same can be good fellowship. Disclaimer: Now this isn’t random fellowship where you know certain individuals choose chaos, drama, pessimistic rants, possess entitlement issues. . . No, this is the fellowship that feeds your soul where you can listen, grow, learn and gain insight from another perspective different from what maybe “familiar” to you.
Coming from a well-rounded family dynamic the notion of “traditional” has always seemed to be distinctly defined based on connections by and beyond biological connection. Not so much, in a negative way, yet in terms of origins of how my familial connections came to be. The concept of “Faith-Family-Friends-Fellowship” was diverse. Being born into a non-traditional family unit where the connections were established and strong allowed a new meaning of family to not be based on “biological” relation alone. For some, it challenged the norms of what or who defined family. But personally, it extended an experience to know the gift of being loved unconditionally. It was different, but it was and is the dynamic of what defined the relationship of family in a creative way. A way that could test the ideas that family connections should only be biological. But I know from my own family origin this is not true nor the limit. Having loved ones who live in different regions and watching them establish family with close friends showed the beauty of “Faith-Family-Friends-Fellowship” being a positive attribute with freedom to have healthy connections. Even when the questions come, “How do you know that person?” . . .”Where did your parents meet them?” . .”How did they get connected?”. . . Having joyful peace to know even if it goes against the norm, “It’s okay to have family whether they are biological or not.” Yet from a broader viewpoint, it offers an opportunity to expand horizons, gain insight and build connections.
In life sometimes our journeys may forge connections that are simply divinely merged. No force, just simply God giving you family beyond the idea of a biological reference. I am reminded of a wisdom nugget my grandfather of such a connection once shared with me when younger, “You can’t choose your kin, but you can choose your friends; and when people choose to love you as family that is a gift.” From the witness of celebrating love & life, to seeing individuals gather; it was affirming how all of these among many more can be an opportunity for retrospection to not apologize for how God may define “Faith-Family-Friends-Fellowship” for your life.
Lean into the diversity, differences and distinctive ways that may not fit “norms”. Be graceful to accept, what’s known doesn’t always have to be explained. If you are connected, your connected.
Live well with however God shapes “Faith-Family-Friends-Fellowship” in terms of your immediate, core and extended connections.
Life & Love
~Corri Rose~