I’ve had that song stuck in my head for half of a week.  Mostly because I seem to have become the go-to gal for my dad’s side of the family. 

Why Me, Lord?

• I was not raised on my dad’s side, after my folks died — I was raised in foster homes and ended up with an aunt & uncle on my mom’s side.
• I do not have my whole first name, nor my maiden name as my FB profile name.
• It’s pretty well-known that I’m not a fan of a number of the people on my dad’s side of the family
• I was the middle child, and although my older brother is dead, my sister was the ‘golden child’ in our family (well, until she stole our inheritance and then refused to apologize or pay it back)
• I have been to a few family funerals, but certainly not all of them
• I’ve never been to a family reunion with that side of the family
• I do not share with people my family name, ever, unless prompted to do so
• The family defines the word dysfunctional
• Most Important:  I only allow love into my home

Why Me, Lord?

This past week, I was friended on FB by a branch of our family tree that I hardly know.  My grandma was married and had a child before she married my dad’s dad and had 12 more children.  The grandchildren and great-grandchildren of my oldest aunt are the ones who found me.  I’m not saying that they’re bad, I don’t even know them!  I’m just wondering how the heck, out of all of those on that side of the family who use the family name that are on Facebook, did they find ME first???

Why Me, Lord?

And then this morning, I had a revelation.  I realized that I had nothing to do with why or how they found me first – God had His hand in that decision.  I have a VERY biased opinion about the family, but I know a lot of the history (i.e the good, the bad and the ugly) and I am open to seeing if I can be helpful to others in the family…such as with information about our family tree, perhaps with info about where someone lives, perhaps even with a kind word, when no one else in the family had given them one (believe me, I’ve been on the receiving end of a number of bad names from the family, I know that feeling well).  I definitely won’t carry the torch for family togetherness, but I’m willing to be open and understanding enough to grow relationships with those with whom I choose to.  And I will be a witness for Him.  How cool is that?

I get it now – Why Me, Lord indeed!