Her mother died when she was just a young child. Because her mother and mine were sisters, she was a first cousin. The family next door to us adopted her. In spite of the fact that they had the same last name as we did, we were not related. As an eight-year-old, I couldn’t comprehend why she now had our last name, but was no longer a cousin. Did you follow that? Life can be very confusing at times.
As Christians, people who are not related to us become our brothers and sisters.
John 1:12
But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God,
Matthew 12:48-50
But He answered and said to the one who told Him, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?” And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.”
Different family – new relatives, hmm. Give it some thought.
Gary