Family Matters

I am in Valparaiso, Indiana this evening with family. A few weeks back I shared that my 94 year old Grandmother was in her last days with us on this side of eternity. She actually went to be with Jesus on Friday, March 7th.

We had a beautiful funeral in St. Louis the following week and I got to rub shoulders with people that knew both of my Grandparents....a good number of these people I had never met before. It was amazing to hear the stories of how my Grandparents had impacted so many people's lives in ways that were still entrenched in their minds to this day.

This weekend we had planned to celebrate my Grandma's 95th b-day. Little did we know that she was going to be spending it with a new body, chilling with Jesus and having a much better party than we could have thrown for her.

I am reminded of the importance of family today. It is good for me to be here. Its amazing to see my cousins and how we are all growing up. Its awesome to think that each of us, in ways that we may not even truly understand, are connected. There is no doubt that even though miles seperate us, there is a common spirit that has been passed down to us by those that have preceded us. When I hear stories about how my Grandfather wanted to be a pastor, but couldn't because he had to provide for his family after serving at war....I am hit with the reality that I am no longer, Mark Couser....living in 2008. I am the grandson of Gilbert & Dorothy Brown....and I am called to carry on their legacy until I join their party with Jesus as well someday.

What does this mean for you? You may be thinking, "Mark, thats not my family....thats you". The amazing reality is that we are all a part of God's family tree. We are all a part of the fabric that he has been weaving throughout time....your life is not meaningless, it has eternal purpose. Its not by accident that you find yourself where you are today. What you do today will echo in eternity. The same goes for tommorow and every day....our lives have a ripple effect throughout the future generations of our families and every person we set eyes on each day.

Thank God that He has not disowned us, for He has called us his children. He is calling us to live out our lives for Him so that future people would also know that they are His kids.

Today has new meaning.....