Friend or Family?

     When our kids were growing up they would bring their friends over to play, or get a ride somewhere. We tried to make sure that we made their friends feel welcome when they came over and welcome to come over anytime. If they were important to our kids then they were important to us. If nothing else we needed to see who would be influencing our kids and how it was happening. As best as I can remember there were very few people that we strongly discouraged either one of the kids  from hanging out with. There were friends, boyfriends and girlfriends.
     Cory brought home a few friends from school but mostly they were neighbors, teammates from football, Jr. Jazz or diabetes camp. There were a few that he brought home that when they left I couldn't shut the door behind them quickly enough.
     Nicole brought people home from everywhere. School, Jr. Jazz, Volleyball, Basketball and dance class. There were a few of them that I couldn't shut the door behind them quickly enough as well.
     In either case whether it was Nicole or Cory, we wanted to make their friends feel welcome. If you have been to our house more than once then you can be pretty sure that you are considered family. Some people are like sons or daughters and others are more like cousins. All are welcome, but not all have developed a close relationship with either us or the kids. There are even a few people that have never set foot in our house that I would consider them to be a son or daughter.
     We've had people that have or still are struggling with alcohol or illegal drug use that are welcome as a son or daughter in our home any time. There are ex-boyfriends and ex-girlfriends that are still welcome in our house  as a son or a daughter. Just because the relationship didn't go any further with Nicole or Cory doesn't mean we never want to see you again. People never cease to be important just because circumstances have changed. We are in each others lives for a reason and as long as I am around and you are too, our lives should be impacting each others in a positive way.
     When we go to Jesus and ask for forgiveness he doesn't first check to see if we use alcohol or drugs or whatever other problem we might have. When we go to him and repent and ask for forgiveness he adopts us as sons and daughters. We are now in his family even if we have problems that we need help with. We go through his door and we are family. What a great example for us to follow. If you come through the door of our house, you can bet you will be family, if you want.
     I want to know how work is going, about nursing school, about your day of snowboarding, camping, fishing, your trip to Vegas or Price. About your pregnancy. If it's important to you it will be important to me, maybe not as important to me as it is to you but still important. If you have a problem you need help with, we might be able to help. If you just want to stop by and say hello, do it.
     If you came through our door once, you were a friend. If we developed the friendship in some way, i.e.  talking, having you go with us to dinner or on a day trip, you are family. Stay in touch, we want to hear from you.
     Be blessed and know that we care about you.