# 53 Long Lost Family, Eph 4:15.

It's like a weight has been lifted off of my body!

I didn't even know I was missing this from my life!

The guilt has Just gone!

I have been watching a television program recently. It is called; Long Lost Family.

The purpose of the program is to attempt to re-unite children with parents, parents with children, Siblings with family. Almost all have a need in their lives that they hope can be filled.

After this discussion I will discuss a need, I, and most people have also.

The subjects on the television program are mostly children of Adoption, or parents searching for them. Occasionally foster children are in the mix. Always, however, the goal is to re-unite family members with one another.

Imagine a dearly loved and missed member of your family came home!

Comments that these longing for family are such as these.

It was like a piece of my heart was out there, a piece was missing.

Even with loving adoptive parents they said; I felt like I didn't Belong!

One said; he felt like he wanted his father every day of his life. Another; Being separated wondered, why am I not with them? I've always needed the connection, a sense of belonging.

For so many, they always felt alone, the only one.

A set of adopted twins said when asked why they never looked for their siblings, They had a childhood with NO cuddles, they even asked their new parents; "Why do you have us"? and felt rejected with their adoptive family. They didn't search out of fear of rejection, yet again.

A man said he didn't search for his family because he might be rejected, he too had not known affection in his adoptive home, no hugs.

They'd had too much rejection already, the fear of further pain held them back.

One women, the sister of the twins, said of her twin baby sisters who were adopted; "There is a loneliness where they used to be. But the love never dies, even if you push it back,..... it is able to be fanned when finally united".

Obviously, children being separated from family has a lasting and devastating effect.

Many did not even know they were adopted or had a missing brothers or sisters.

When they learn the possibility of a reunion was actually real; Some are full of excitement and can't wait. Others experience fears and trepidation.

Maybe they will reject me? Maybe they blame them or will not want to meet and other fears.

But they still crave a family connection, despite their fears.

Sadly, for some, even though they have been hoping, yearning and longing, even for decades, sometimes the parent has already fallen asleep in death, before they could be re-united.

Usually, Even if their longed for parent can't be found, family is there to great them and catch them from their fall.

For most, the expectation of meeting someone you are actually related to is "so thrilling".

Hopeful of meeting up to their expectations. They can't wait.

"Never have I been this excited before! said one. Another said, that finding he has a new brother is like a bolt from the blue! We are here to start something new, without realising it! The lost years, fade away, and new beginnings takes hold of the heart, and the future is forever changed"!

Belonging, suddenly to Family, to love.

Some travel great distances to meet each other, even from the other side of the world.

A group of sisters were only 8 miles away from each other. And never knew it.

1 pair of brother lived only 1 mile from each other most of their lives. They also never knew it.

"We could have passed on the street or sat next to each other on the bus! We could have walked past each other on the main street"!

Changed forever

Once they finally lay eyes on each other, a common result is shared by all.

They say things like; "It's like a weight has been lifted off of my body"! "I didn't know I was missing this from my life"! "The guilt has gone"! "The ghosts of the past have been laid to rest, the sadness is gone"!

They instantly feel a connection, "I'm not alone anymore"!

And a calm eventually sets in and they say; "I can now start my life anew! A new beginning"!

"It feels natural"!

And a man who waited 70yrs to find his brother said; "Now I've found my brother, I'm never going to lose him"!

A father said; "he's not my son, he's my boy"! Even though he was a grown man.

Another, and a common response. "It's like we've always known each other"!

And for many they Just want to hear the words, "I love you my Son", or "this is my daughter".

Or to have the God given joy to be able to say to be a parent, "Mum" or "Dad". They are only a 3 letter word, but they carry so much emotion when absent from a persons vocabulary.

"I thought about you every day"!, they say. "For my whole life I've been waiting for this day"! said another.

"Now I can say; That's my sister"! And "I have someone I can call my brother"!

These have all longed for SO long, and SO deeply, for the family connection they just knew was their, .........somewhere!

Interestingly, to me anyway, often those who have spent no time together as brothers, sisters and parents. They have very similar mannerisms, speech and their sense of humour.

They often say the same words and obviously display the same thought patterns. Which explains family traits that I have noticed even among my relatives.

Little wonder they say ; "It feels natural"!

Even with ones who cannot speak the same language, they cry and say, "My daughter"! and "I love you", mum or dad!

The bond of, family, is strong, unbreakable. And when they find out their family has been found and they, for the first time in their lives, they see a photo of a person who looks like them, well, then they can see that the reality is close by, it's no longer a dream.

To find someone who actually looks like them. They already begin to feel a connection.

And when they have met? Well, "Time to start their life again"!

They always embrace. The tears of longing, grief and frustration, instantly turn into tears of joy. "Are you alright"? "Now I am!" They say.

Now Reunited

In the concluding interview those reunited with absent family can barely contain themselves.

One said; "I can't stop smiling, it hurts"! Another; "Never have I been so excited before"!

One said; "I have such a nice deep warm feeling inside! Now I have family"!

Just at finding a little bit of family, they feel whole again. "What more could you hope for!?

It's all worth it"! She was excited to see what the future holds.

Even if they missed out on being joined with their parents, the hole in their hearts is comforted by siblings.

Then; they meet extended family, a new beginning. One father when he met his son said: "I've been thinking about you every day! I knew inside that I would find you, I never lost hope"! And ,"There are no words to describe my happiness"!

Maybe they couldn't get all the answers they were looking for, every time.

But usually they did get much more than they dreamed was possible.

That is; Much more, Love, belonging, the peace and security of knowing who they are and just where they fit. And now an unending potential for the future, for dreams, and for life with endless possibility.

"The love I have is there!, I can feel it flowing through me"! What a thrill for these ones who have found their "Lost Family".

What About You?

O.K. then. What do you need in your life? What is missing?

Some might think of things logically, things like; we need food and water, to be warm and somewhere to stay out of the elements, financial security, etc. Yes! Obviously these things are necessary.

Even money is necessary today, Ec 7;12, tells us that (for now) money "is for protection".

But that's not what this section is discussing, is it?

Some today feel that 'God and religion is the last thing they need'. This is understandable considering life's twist and turns and a history hurt. However, family is different to religion.

Often, as I mentioned, some even had a good life being adopted, so, 'didn't feel the need to search'. But, when told that someone was looking for them. Something started to grow! Hope!

Hope of a connection and love. Gradually, their emotions changed and a reunion was more appealing.

Don't blame God for man's actions.

The Bible explains from Genesis on, that we, Mankind, has been estranged from OUR Father.

Our Heavenly Father. Adam was escorted from the garden. By his actions he chose, for us, his offspring, through Eve, a life of Adoption.

God's word, Through John, explains that, "The whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one". 1John 5;19.

By getting Adam to listen to him, , by deceiving Eve, rather than listening to God. Satan the Devil, basically kidnapped mankind's future.

Could The Living God foresee this as a possibility? Obviously.

He did however make attempts to give Adam enough knowledge to make the right and the wisest of CHOICES.

Gen 2;15-17, All things He needed to know were told him. Even the warning about "Eating the fruit from the tree of the 'knowledge of Good and Bad'".

He had shown him all things, Gen 1;29,30. He then had gotten him to observe the animals and Gave him the privilege of coming up with a name for them.

He spent long enough with these to work out that family loyalty, even among the creation of life was important. Each generation of Lion, Monkey and Bird, learnt valuable lessons from their parents.

If the young neglected to pay heed, It often proved fatal.

Closeness and connection are needed within the family unit and vital, for our own psychological needs and protection. He should have learnt that all need to feel home, safe, loved and wanted.

This should have been all the information He needed to realise that he should "Fight" for his families future.

God also outrightly warned Adam of choosing BAD over GOOD, Gen 2;17. He, plainly explained, death would result from following a course of separation from family, from his Father, his Creator, and ours.

The Lessons Learnt

Have you not seen this yourself, even today? Young ones often, just have to beat their own paths. Often ignoring the examples and instruction they would have been wise to listen to from wiser, more experienced ones?

Maybe you too can look back and sigh or groan in your spirit due to poor choices.

Of course we all need to stand on our own two feet, some day. But choosing BAD, always has it's consequences. Doesn't it?

Through the Bible, Through the Prophets and other holy writings, God has not abandoned us, ever, has He. He always had a means of "Connection".

For example; Recall some of the many times He had documented, that he has tried to guide to help mankind. He has a clear record communicating with us, by means of reminders and even stories of real people we can relate to in the Holy writings.

He, always had a channel, or line of communication to us. Or; at least available to us, if we sought it.

Never Lose Hope

Often in the Lost Family program ones held onto a shred of information. Maybe a document or a letter, a photo etc.

Something that was a link to their past to their biology, and hopefully their future.

Often, this was the stepping stone to tracking down their Lost Family.

Often an intermediary, a professional with the authority and skills required to discover Lost Family.

They were often able to locate the one piece of crucial information was required to gain the final piece's to the puzzle that led to locating, contacting and finally, meeting their Family.

Do we have an Intermediary to help us?

Yes! Jesus Christ was sent; first as our Father's representative. Jesus' role in part, was to introduce Himself (The Living God) to us by means of his envoy.

As Satan was and still to this day "Ruler of the world", ans currently our illegitimate father.

Jesus was going the extra mile during His days on Earth, to demonstrate God's Love and depth of feelings toward us.

He did this in part by showing he has feelings that are motivated by actions.

He, Jesus, simply could not refrain from helping us, or those of us who beheld him, helping with "Every infirmity" and tender affection and even letting the children come to him. Mt 4;23, 9;35, 10;1.

Clearly, He demonstrated, as God's representative, in a wonderful way, the Love that the Father has for his children. US.

By doing this, He, God Almighty, Our Creator and Father was holding out a measure of hope for us. Though in this Darkened world, full of BAD, He was recommending his love to us.

2 Cor 5;19 explains that "God was by means of Christ reconciling a world (mankind) to himself, not reckoning to them their trespasses, and He committed the word of reconciliation to us".

What does this mean?

God has put into the mix, the framework, a legal structure, by which He can be found by us.

And in the future can again have the right to a close relationship with us, his children.

Even if you have had "A good adoption" so to speak. That is a good life, with all you could ask for.

God holds out to you, "Good news of something better". Rev 21;5. Do yourself a favour, Google in the Bible, Good news and Better. Get a feel of what these texts indicate about God's feelings toward you personally.

Just as with most parents who had been forced to give up their child due to circumstance, but were just longing and waiting to see their Son or their Daughter, so too, our "Father" has been waiting, patiently.

Why? He just KNEW this day would come.

Even though Satan, by tempting Adam, derailed our future. The pain and heartache felt by US and God and our Heavenly family and the longing for connection, a hug, will simply fade away.

Yes! Life has been difficult for us. But can you imagine the sorrow that our Heavenly Father has felt all these years. Watching generation after generation struggle, and for what?

Acts 17; 26-27. says; "And He made out of one man every nation of men, to dwell on the entire surface of the Earth, and he DECREED the APOINTED TIMES and the SET LIMITS of the dwelling of men, for them to seek God, that they might grope for him and REALLY FIND Him, although, in fact, He is not far off from each one of us". Verse 28 finishes by saying "For WE are His progeny".

We are, obviously then, all one family. Race and Nationality are a stumbling block that you have placed in front of your own feet. And yet the nations continue to say, "But it's THEM, not US".

When will you stop? "WE" are all made from the same lump of clay, are we not? "WE"are logically all from the one mother, are WE not?

When we shake off the prejudice's handed down to us by narrow minded ancestors, we can actually see past the differences and finally begin to appreciate the merits of each individual.

I once heard some counsel given to the congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses, "If their is an individual you just don't like or just can't get along with, Work with them in the ministry"!

That is, go out of your way to spend time with this one in the preaching and teaching work. The result? You soon see why our Father, through Christ Jesus, drew this one. The superficial differences in personality or background just fade away when you see, they too, have the love that excels all thought and wisdom. Obviously you may not be one of J.W.s, but the principle is the same. Spend time together, lean on each other and try giving not judging for a while. See if the results are different than you anticipted.

The result, when we see their love, for your very own Father and God, the differences just melt away.

They really are; our brother or sister after all.

Notice the theme?

Many who were fearful of meeting their relatives shown on the program, Long Lost Family, for whatever reason, found that any concerns they had, just faded away, and, connection, family, joy and love, soon took it's place.

Imagine that! A world wide brotherhood of man, where no child will grow up fearful of their neighbour. Suspicious of "those people". Or told, "Watch out for them".

Why is this possible?

God has said, to me, you, and all what his hope is. "For I well know the thoughts that I am thinking toward YOU, thoughts of peace and not of calamity, to give you a future and a hope. And you will certainly call me and come and pray to me, and I WILL LISTEN to you. And you will seek me and find me, for you will search for me with all your heart. And I will let myself be found by you, is the utterance of Jehovah-- and i will collect you together out of ALL the nations", Jer 29;13-14a.

Now, Some of you intellectuals might say; "Oh, he is misapplying scripture, Why this was written to the Jews in prophecy for release from captivity to Babylon!" O.K. yes!

This was the word of God through Jerimiah and delivered to God's covenant nation. you are correct, Very good.

In the same way, however; We have similarly, been now taken captive, by the Ruler of this system of things.

We are prisoners to false god's, such as Money, Luck, Fate, Destiny and idolatry of every kind.

While all mankind are being abused, used, and manipulated for personal gain by the world leaders and their business partners. And the Earth, our home is being destroyed in the process, Joel 2;2,3.

We too, like Israel are in captivity to Babylon, and are in desperate need of salvation by God.

For no Human entity has the answers or can offer a shred of hope to mankind, can they?

And more conclusively, as was demonstrated by Jesus teachings, and that of the Apostles.

God Word indicates that He IS going to deliver ALL mankind from this darkness, Is he not.

Jesus died for the whole world, did he not? John 3;16. Not just persons from one faith or geographic location.

Sorry, I've had my rant now. I just get frustrated by negative talk of ones who are determined to shut their eyes, and the eyes of anyone who will give them an ear.

Help

He promises in Revelation that the leaves of the trees will be for the curing of the nations.

This will be so complete that as with Job 33; 24-26, we will no longer die, a ransom has repurchased us, our bodies will be better than ever and we will once again have the vitality of the young.

We will call to God for his approval and receive it. We WILL feel the embrace that the children feel for the first time when holding their parent. And we wont let go.

He, The Living God Will restore a righteous standing to us, with Him, and we will no longer be Adams offspring.

But by means of Jesus kingship and rule we will have a restored spirit that will (I can't think of the word, not encompass, not oh I can't get it) anyway, we will be restored to the creative beings we were intended to be, "in the beginning".

One Father, one family.

We are all from the same lump of clay, genetically and by his hand.

Even if some races were genetically different, though they are not! we are "All his creative works", an expression of his love. Family descent and cast or any other status, race or station etc are completely irrelevant. All need love, all desire respect.

I recall, some in the Lost Family show were content with their life, although Adopted out and separated from blood relatives.

These didn't realise they needed a Family connection in their lives. But once they felt what they didn't know was missing, they too felt the connection, the joy, the love.

At times, they, not only found a parent, or siblings, often they found extended family.

How wonderful it will be for mankind to get to meet Angels, our extended family.

These have been hidden behind the scenes for so long. They will not need to hide any more.

Truly one big happy family, thanks to our Big Brother (Jesus) and our Heavenly Father, Jehovah.

Yes His name is important.

Imagine searching for your Mum or Dad and not having a name to go off of. It would be impossible.

Similarly with our Heavenly Father, He has an identifying name. Even a reputation that goes with it. By getting to know the truth about him, we in turn come to learn more about ourselves and all his works. His name sheds new meaning to ALL things.

When Our Family is reunited, before your eyes, be warned.

You too might be so full of joy that you can't stop smiling. You may not be able to feel the hurt of the former days so much. Look!, now is a new beginning, a new future, a new life.

How thrilling, I just can't wait. I'm thinking I must be personally feeling like those depicted in the program.

I have enough information to know He, my Father, didn't give me up willingly or by choice.

But like me, He has been counting down the days till we can be one, when, finally, that imposter and wanna be, is out of the picture.

Satan is like a terrible Adoptive parent, if he really didn't love us, then why keep us? Just as the twins said.

His Love

God's Love is deep, it is based on principle (Agape') will never fail. His affection and hopes for me will never end.

Remember, Love hopes all things and can cover a multitude of sins. Yours and mine.

Some in the program didn't get the full reality of the things they had hoped for. But, just the same, the connection they did find, was real.

Some fear they were forgotten, until they hear the words, "You were never forgotten".

They lived with that fear, do you?

Whatever your personal experience in life. Abandoned, orphaned, Adopted or rejected.

Whatever you have gone through, Jehovah God, your Father is aware of it. And wants to reassure you with these words. "Even if your mother should abandon you, I, I will never abandon you."

I think that's written in the Book of Isaiah.

You should be confident. Our Father too has never forgotten you! It Is not his doing, all the hurt and pain. But He has the remedy!

What can we do in our day to day lives to be like our Father?

Widen out in our affections. Begin the process of welcoming others. Be ready to receive family, from every walk of life.

Whatever you need, physically, psychologically or emotionally, It will be their if we search for it. Open your hearts. Love is free, it is available to you.

The pain and fear you may feel today will fade, as you find the connection we all crave, and joy will replace it.

My advice; keep the pain in your back pocket as a reminder, never do we want to choose BAD.

When can we begin to feel this? Now, and even more in the promised Eden (the book of Joel) to come, Paradise.

His Kingdom arrangement, the manifestation of God's love through the Christ and the 144,000

co-rulers, will give us the foundation for the future, when all things will be made new Rev 21;4-5.

That is, the day when, Finally, God, our Father, becomes all things to all peoples.

In fact, every families existence is thanks to our Father and creator, our God,

Eph 3;14,15; "On account of this I bend mt knees to the Father, to whom every family in heaven and on Earth owes its name".

Notice the point; "Every family in Heaven!". The family structure has the potential to be perfect, it is modeled on the Heavenly reality of life.

We can and will see a future when war, famine, natural disasters, pandemics, death and shear break down of spirit due to life's unending trauma will be a thing of the past.

In the future

In that day, those of you who may not be familiar with the heartache with the loss, heartache and the absence of our Father in our lives. You will need, personally, to develop a personal connection, with Jehovah God.

The one who along with his firstborn went to great lengths a personal sacrifice to provide the future, that is, the reality you enjoy that was intended from the beginning.

One tip I can give you. Teach yourself, from an early age the importance of NO!

The Animals and birds learn it from their parents.

Yes, it is vital that you set boundaries for yourself. If you don't develop "the way" for yourself while young, you will surely go through life, taking what you want, even if it's not yours, but belongs to another. You will certainly leave calamity and heartache in your wake. Why?

Just to satisfy your personal desires.

You know the love between a father and son, and the shear delight in a daughter is just as strong.

We were all taken by circumstance, kept apart by time. But our hearts just won't let go, neither will our Fathers.

And our Mother, like our human mum's would sacrifice all to keep their young safe.

In a later episode a woman declared. "You can't stop family"!

Down the track

Others were contacted in time to see how things had worked out!

Mostly it was wonderful, though a work in progress.

Others had their dreams turn to disappointment. One was simply unable to adjust her expectations.

Another found that her view of how things should be in her heart got in the way of reality, only to push the one they had found away.

So, in our futures, we too must develop the right attitude or view of things. Otherwise the desire in our hearts may never be satisfied.

One said; "for me it was life changing, there's an excitement in life again. I look forward to every day".

Another, "I've found out who I am. I always had to stand on my own, It's brilliant, absolutely brilliant".

Hopeful of a good future another said, "I just want to go forward as a family, and that's, lovely, so lovely".

Do you feel that too. The gentle pulling on your heart strings? Do you have a never ending craving for belonging, for family?

God's word tells us what that is; He has placed everlasting life, in your hearts, eternity.

You can't fill that need by selfish ambition! No!

It can only be satisfied by a strong Family connection, productive love. Agape! Love based on right principles. The kind Jesus has and demonstrated. The kind your loved ones, neighbours and strangers all crave, need and love. The Kind of Love that separates us from the animals, God's personality, there for us to cultivate. For that is why God says we "Are made in his image".

Can you feel it? Can you grow it? Yes you can. Whatever scars are engraved on your heart can not be enough for you to receive it, or give it.

One mum said; "she's my daughter, I know her, she's mine. I've had her, I know her", 59 years they were apart. Just like the lifetime man has been cut off from The Living God, our Father.

All those years lost. But once reunited, "It's almost like the 59 years never happened".

"They've filled a void in my life", and comments like these go On and On. Joy abounding for many.

One last comment; "There was a dark time in my life, like I was lost. I didn't fit in. Now! I don't have to fit in. He's opened up a whole new world for me and..... holding back tears..... It's great to have him back in my life after so many years. I have a debt of gratitude i can never repay".

Then referring to the woman who adopted her son and kept him safe throughout his life, she said; "His adoptive mother was my saviour".

Jesus adopted me, and you. The scriptures explain that He, Jesus, was the second Adam and He stepped in when we were orphaned.

He repurchased us with his blood by way of a "Ransom price", His life, for mine. Do you get that? Do you really get that?

Why did he do it? Love!

We are a gift, to him, from God, His Father, and ours. Also, that like the adoptive Mother, He kept us safe and in His heart, so that we can all be family together. Adoptive parent and actual Father, God.

As our New Adoptive father, Jesus has a crucial role in preparing us for God's return.

When He himself takes His place at the 'Head of the Table', so to speak.

Can you imagine that glorious day, when it arrives?

After Satan is permanently removed and we have no excuse for 'ill will' toward others, and still he arrives to find divisions???

How sad would that be, A parent, FINALLY reunited with His or Her children, to find, "these hate those", those are "trouble makers", etc. Do you think for 1 second that Jesus would present to His God and Father, a family of discontent? Never would that happen.

Our future is hinged on this one thing, Can we get along? Mt 5;48.

Our standing before God must be Holy, with a clear conscience; Free from prejudice or racism.

Free from those who 'look down the nose' or those determined to rebel???

We must be one. Just as Jesus and Jehovah are one. No! not 'One', as in the Argumentless Trinity doctrine, but as this entire section is alluding to, oneness of purpose, of family, opf Love.

Fittly united in a bond of unbreakable union, Forever! Col 3;14, 2 Co 5;17, "Consequently if anyone is in union with Christ, he is (They are) a new creation, the old things have passed away, look! new things have come into existence".

This is why the scripture also says that by our conduct, "Quit being fashioned after this system of things by making your minds over, that you may prove to yourselves the good and acceptable and perfect will of God". Mt 5;48; "Be perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect".

The footnote on the word 'Perfect' in the translation I use states that this conveys the thought of being "Complete". God is Love, He is also "The Happy God".

So, can you imagine that if you are abounding in Love, and Happiness, you would worry about much. Everything will be fine right??? Everything is "Perfect"? Then, you ARE complete.

The Dead Return

The scriptures clearly tell us that a "Resurrection of the dead", IS to take place.

Would you want your loved ones to come back to life on Earth, to find WAR, Strife, Hunger, Etc?

Only to , once again, grow old and die?

For this to take place also our future and theirs is hinged on LOVE. If, We, Can't get along like the loving families in the programm and more closely as was intended by Our Heavenly Father, then why would He, through the Christ, bring back those He has kept safe in his memory, for us to ruin their lives AGAIN.

Our future, in fact the future of all creation is dependant on LOVE. Yes! Love among Brothers, Sisters, the young and the older ones. ALL must be one family. No longer alone without a "Feeling of Belonging". No! ALL must feel safe in their homes and on the streets. ALL must be a Person for others in times of distress.

ALL must have "An Accurate Knowledge of Truth", imbedded in their soul so as to not be moved, 'this way and that' like a feather on the wind. WE must know before any situation develops around us, exactly what the course of WISDOM and RIGHTEOUSNESS is. And all things must be anchored by LOVE. To God's praise and Glory.

I know these last two sections may be a bit heavy. But, IF we are to move foreword as peoples with a hope of everlasting life in view, and laid out before us, as a free gift. We need to be Holy, Or HE simply cannot and will not return to us. THAT"S IT. For no one can come before the Great one, as a Son or Daughter, unless clean.

When we get it right, ALL things are possible!

How wonderful.

This sacred secret is in fact the entire purpose of the prophets, namely, "To reconcile a people to himself", Col 3;13-20, please look that one up.

He did all this, to build that bridge and cross it, Home to us, One Father, one family.

Thanks to our saviour, our Lord and King Christ Jesus. My big brother.

Yes, He adopted us, He cared for us, the best the situation would allow.

He can, and will, lead us all the way home.

Finally, when we are ALL family. Remember always; Family supports each other, helps each other, Loves each other.

Not with selfish motive, "For God loves a cheerful giver". And recall also; "You receive free, give free". Can you do that?

One man said his wife described him as "an emotionless rock". But he himself has noticed a change. His mum loves cuddles and he no longer feels the need to protect his emotions.

He, has become softer. His wife no longer calls him a rock. All within a couple of short years.

Give it time, you too can do it, if this describes you. When you receive it, it's easier to give it.

I hope this is of benefit. Get ready, He will be soon calling you.

Warm brotherly love, to you, my sister, my brother, my mother, and father.

To all you, my relatives, a big hug and warm affection.

Man in expectation :)

I personally have recently had a reunion with a "Long Lost Family" member.

Her story is just as, if not sadder than that of the many in the program previously described.

My wife and I applied to a genetics company, who links the families of the past and present.

We were looking for other reasons but to my surprise when the results came back, I had a first cousin I was not aware of. And like some in the program, She lived and grew up just 2 miles from my family home. When I saw her photo, I immediately knew who's child she was.

When I was young, my uncles were involved in a Motor Cycle club. I believe they were pretty harmless as a group, however, that didn't stop another Gang targeting them, Killing more that a few, and ruining many lives.

The uncle in question was involved with a young women at the time. She was loved by my relatives, but before long disappeared off of the scene. I have always thought this was, in part at least, due to the Club war that was going on.

On the last occasion I remember seeing her, she was injured during an attack. My uncle and his friends were enjoying some down time with their girlfriends and others at the rear of my family home, it was a nice spot, as there was a river on it with a nice beach. It should have been a relaxing evening. But not according to this rival gang.

My cousins mother came up to my parents house and was crying outside. They heard her and brought her inside. It was late at night and she was clearly distressed. She had a wound on the side of her stomach, a hole about 9mm in diameter. That evening, my uncle received an ax wound to the temple. not bad, it just caught him.

My cousin and I contacted each other and before long met. For me it was very strange, seeing someone who has my mothers eyes, but whom is not familiar to me. Even after meeting up again it's a bit hard to process. So, what happened to her once she was born?

Her birth mother was from a strict Catholic family and that as she was young and not married, she was shipped off to another state to have the baby. Apparently, only Her birth Mothers mother was the only person on that side that was aware of her existence.

She was immediately put up for adoption. And Adopted by another family who could not have children of their own, they also later adopted another child, a boy. These new parents too happened to be Catholics.

On my uncles side of the family, He was a couple of years younger than Her birth Mother, himself only a teen, on little income as He was an apprentice.

My grandmother, His Mum told him, "If you ever bring a young women home with a baby, you will be living out on the streets".

So, having zero support from either family, my cousins future was sealed.

Of course, I can only imagine the tremendous stress felt by Her parents. Also that of the parents fighting with personal beliefs and external pressures in sending a daughter and grandchild away.

That being, IF each individual involved had any pangs of conscience.

This highlights to me the struggle many, if not all parents have in doing what they hope or think is best for their own children or family.

As with many adopted ones in the T.V. program, Long Lost Family, She had a good upbringing, but never felt quite right. There was not family connection, just the same as many others.

When she was old enough, She got ahold of Her adoption papers and contacted Her birth mother. Who, in time gave her my uncles details. He attended her wedding and more than a few meeting took place with him and his wife and 2 daughters, always hoping desperately for a connection that never really came. In time,jealousy from my uncles wife eventually drove a deep wedge between them all.

Neither side of her parents extended families knew about her. My mother, the oldest of the siblings suspected she was pregnant but was never told.

When I asked my uncle if he told her why He decided not to keep her, he replied, "No".

It also turns out that her Birth mother's brother did the same thing, had a child out of wedlock who was likewise adopted out. It was only by doing the same Genetic search I did that He was discovered by my cousin.

Finally, now, after 50 years and much heart ache, She, My brand new cousin, is seeing photo's of family, connecting on Facebook and meeting her own blood relatives.

She is finally after 50 years, making contact with many by means of the internet.

I feel she has had a much harder time in Her search for family and a connection, than most being adopted and highlighted on the program.

I am proud of how strong she has been, despite many hard days. May she and her family find relief, joy, and a connection, from this day on.

Man in expectation. :) 26/02/2024

The mash-up! "You must love Jehovah your God, with your whole Heart, Mind, Soul and Strength and keep His Commandments. If you do, you will be wise enough to bypass any trial with ease, and have an indefinitely lasting name with The Living One. Those who fail to take these things to heart, will suffer shame and fall short in a large way, all that is his, will be destroyed and cease to exist.

You who love Him, however, will flourish with joy, under the tent cloths of Jehovah, always." Ecc 12:13, Mark 12:30 and Ps 37:18-20.