Who is your family?

I went to a funeral today of a dear woman in Christ. Her husband preceded her in death by about two years. For whatever reason, their marriage of sixty years was not blessed by God with the birth of any children. Today at the funeral, I had to smile when I saw the choice of pallbearers. These spots generally saved for grandchildren or other blood relations, were given to members of the church she attended. To the best of my knowledge they were not chosen because they were somehow distant blood relation. They were chosen instead because these men had become dear to her as water relation, those related to her as brothers and sisters in Christ, made so in the waters of Holy Baptism. It was a wonderful reminder of how those made to be in relation to us in this way should always be regarded truly as family. I suppose, God willing, someday my casket might be carried by those who are related to me by blood. But I desire that they be those blood relatives who are also brothers and sisters in Christ. And if no one blood related can be found, no trouble. Just grab one or more of my brothers and sisters who shared the pew and gathered at the Lord’s table with me. For they are my family too.