You know how, if you haven’t seen family members in a long time, you get a yearning to see and visit with them? I know not everyone is fortunate enough to have a loving family that elicits that type of desire, but most of us do.

In my own case, I’ve lost my father and younger brother and sister, but my mother and older sister are both still with us, and I treasure opportunities to spend time with them. As my 99 year-old mother’s mind has declined, the visits have become shorter and less rewarding, but there’s still something about spending time with this woman who has loved me for over 72 years now.

My sister lives some 1500 miles away, so we don’t get to see each other as often as we would like, but when we do, we pick up like we saw each other yesterday. All the shared experiences of growing up together, the mutual security of having loved each other all these years—no matter that we each have close non-family friends, as much as I treasure these friendships, they’re not the same as family.

Obviously, my daughter has not known me as long as my mother and sister, but the father-daughter bond is a super special one. I only get to see her every two to four months, depending on what’s going on, and that’s not nearly enough for me. I suppose if I got to see her daily it still wouldn’t be enough.

I also have six first cousins I love very much, including two who are like sisters to me. I treasure every moment I get to spend with any of them, particularly those two.

In addition to my blood relatives, I feel a connection with the body of Christ, in particular those Christian brothers and sisters I’ve had the pleasure of meeting in person and more especially those with whom I’ve established ongoing personal relationships. For some years now, my wife and I have been a part of a Sunday School class, and for the last ten years I’ve been the leader of that class.

I’ve come to regard the people in this class as my family. When I see them on Sunday mornings, it’s like walking into a family reunion. When I don’t see them, it’s like missing my family.

What prompted this post is that circumstances have kept me away for the last two weeks, and I’m realizing how much I miss these wonderful people. It’s almost like having withdrawals, and I can’t wait until I get to see them again Sunday.

Whom do you find yourself missing when you don’t see them?

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If you abide in Me and My word abides in you, then you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.

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For more information about David N. Walker, click the “About” tab above.

For more information about his books, click on “Books” above.

Contact him at dnwalkertx (at) gmail (dot) com or tweet him at @davidnwalkertx.