Happy New Year!!!!!

A New Year is a time for reflection, remembrance, and hope for the future. One year can seemingly fly by without much change, or one’s life can change drastically. For me, 2011 was the latter. Through the grace of God and many people’s hard work, I have been given the opportunity to live and work in a new community. This was my first Christmas apart from my family, a situation that could have easily descended into loneliness. However, through the generosity of several people I was able to have a very Merry Christmas, surrounded by love. Dare I say, separation from my biological family made me more aware of Christian family, and scripture that previously was difficult to understand has now started to make (a little) sense. Such as…

“[Jesus – the Word] was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”

-John 1:10-13

Or…

“Now Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him, but they were not able to get near him because of the crowd. Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, waiting to see you.

[Jesus] replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.”

-Luke 8:19-21

There are a lot of corny attempts to portray different groups as “families.” But I have to admit the kinship I have felt in Omaha has a familial feel, consisting of genuine concern for my well being and freely offered hospitality. Christ suffered and “died” on a cross for all of us, including various outcasts, sinners, and other miscreants, so that we may be born anew into a new kind of community. A little separation from the things I love has helped me deepen my understanding of that truth.

As the midpoint of this program approaches, my focus will shift from settling in to what happens next. It is easy to forget that this program will not last forever, and I need to avoid getting “too comfortable” in my current routine. I am confident that, with a little support from people around me and A LOT of help from above, I will be prepared for the next step.