Belonging

One thing I love about starting a family is the sense of belonging it creates. Even just as a couple, you end up with sayings and traditions which are just yours. And then having Chloe around has meant we have created new habits which are unique to our family and which most people wouldn't understand! I was trying to think of any I could share with you but it's so hard to explain most of them, especially when they originated with Chloe. (e.g. - before she gets out of the bath, Chloe must lie down on her back and say 'water, water'. She gets very cross if she isn't given time to do this!)

This is very clear when anyone tries to have a conversation with Chloe. She often starts talking about a game we play or something we have done in the week and often people have no idea what she is talking about. How special it is that we, as her parents, understand her and can 'speak her language'! I am sure this helps Chloe to view our relationship as a family as special and creates a sense of belonging. I know this feeling will only grow stronger as we add our new baby to the family and Chloe has someone else to share her life with.

...Added...
I feel challenged that I didn't once mention God in a post about how family gives us a sense of belonging! I had an evening to myself tonight and a bit of time to spend time reading Godly things and allowing God to speak to me. It's so easy to start to fill your mind with everything but Jesus!
So here's a verse about how God has given us the same sense of belonging into his family:
'Those who were not my people I will call 'my people', and her who was not beloved I will call 'beloved'. And in the very place where it was said to them 'you are not my people', there they will be called 'sons of the living God.'

Thank you Father that you saw me and loved me, even when I was walking away from you and didn't want to be one of 'your people'. Thank you for saving me and making me your child. Thank you that I am now a member of your family and for how that gives me the greatest sense of belonging there is! Please help me to teach my children about how their Heavenly Father knows all about them, even more than their earthly families x