Grafted In

I've been planning to write this blog about the power of the graft. Originally, I thought about using the analogy of the skin graft. However, not only were the images a little too graphic, I found the analogy a little lacking. When I did some looking into it, it simply said about a skin graft: a piece of living tissue that is transplanted surgically.

Yet, look at the imagery and power of what it had to say about a branch (which is also the analogy used in Romans 11): a shoot or twig inserted into a slit on the trunk or stem of a living plant, from which it receives sap. Is this not exactly what God has done for us? As we express faith in Him, He joins us to His son Jesus Christ from which flows the Holy Spirit?

The more I've thought about this analogy, the more I thought about this past year of life. This is exactly what the entire West family did for our family. They took this twig (our family) and inserted it into a slit on the stem of a living plant (their family), from which we received sap (life, support, and encouragement).

I think about Jason and Angie and how sacrificial and selfless they were in allowing our family to move in with them. Can you imagine going from a 3-person home to a 9-person home overnight and lasting for a year? We took over their upstairs, invaded their common spaces and probably made more noise than they ever cared to have in their home. They provided a roof for our heads, a bed for our backs, and food for our bodies. Most importantly they shared their life and hearts with us during a season of life that at times we felt the loneliest we have ever felt. Jason and Angie, you have truly left a living legacy in our family's life!

I think about Mr. Rod and Miss Faye (Jason's parents). They willingly included us in family activities (my arm still hurts from turning the crank those few hours making apple cider vinegar and my eyes are still burning from all the smoke while stirring the pot for apple butter). Thanks to Mr. Rod I learned some valuable lessons: never wear flip flops while working on the farm and never wear shorts while rounding up a bee hive. I'm thankful that wasn't a real snake that slithered over my foot nor a real bee that flew up my shorts! Thanks Mr. Rod and Miss Faye for making us feel a part of your family!

Last, but certainly not least, I think about my buddy Stu and his wife Gina (Jason's sister). Any time we got to be around them, we were always assured a great time and a good laugh (thanks Stu for being a good sport and for always "giving it back to me"). Thanks Stu and Gina for always being you and for allowing us the great privilege of getting to know you better this past year!

I'm so grateful for God's grafting power. First and foremost for grafting us into His forever family. Additionally, for allowing us to be grafted into the West family. Their love, support, and encouragement not only freed us to pursue this God-calling as fully as we have, but has meant more to us than they'll ever know.