Family Portraits

New babies coax so many comments from their families. We talk endlessly about how Susie’s toes look just like her grandma’s, or affirm to all that Tommy’s nose carries on the family tradition!

Click here to play a Kahoots game !

Family Portrait

When my son was born, I was curious as to which side of the family he would resemble since my husband and I look so differently. But when I saw him for the first time, I realized he was the most delightful combination of both of us! The pure white of his smooth baby skin perfectly displayed the  magnificent Viking hair and challenging blue eyes.

But the most mysterious family resemblance occurred to me when Adam stepped up to his teenage years. Looking at him one day as he dipped his copper-colored hair in acknowledgement of my question and  his eyes cut sideways while thinking about the answer to my question, I realized with a shock that he acted like my brother. Then I began noticing other small ways that Adam mimicked Leonard.

Watching my son as he grew in stature and in strength blended in my memories with my older brother’s idiosyncrasies. Leonard was 8 years older than I and memories of his tall 6’3″ muscularity returned with clarity to mesh with my son’s 6’3″ broad-shouldered football frame. Their identical mannerisms bridged the years in between their lives in my heart. Adam, my son, never knew my brother, Leonard, as he had died suddenly in a car accident at 38 years old, 5 years before Adam was born. But  the little things such as the square body stance, the way he would thin his lips while thinking, and how he toyed with a twist-tie when answering immediately align with my memories of my brother’s similar actions.

In a mysterious way, Adam’s similar body language and choice of words would comfort me as I still miss my brother and am saddened by his sudden death. But they also spoke volumes about the natural connections between families, whether the relative is known or not.

Spiritual Family PortraitBible Marlene

Sarah in the Bible is our mother, a sort of spiritual relative, when we copy her. As we dare to step out in faith and soar above our earthly life, our body language and idiosyncrasies match hers spiritually. We naturally and unmistakably reveal to others that we are spiritually related to her.  My son, who unconsciously revealed traits of his uncle, did not struggle or even acknowledge the relationship. The similarities came forth naturally because they were related.

Look at the following ways in which we are like Sarah. Do not struggle to be her daughter. It will come naturally when Sarah’s Father, God, becomes your Father too. As we draw close to Sarah’s God, her faith will shine through us. Others will recognize the spiritual relationship we have with Sarah as we fulfill her legacy left to us in 1 Peter 3:6.

Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. 1 Peter 3:6

We. like Sarah in Hebrews 11:11, will receive the strength we need to fulfill God’s plan, for us.

Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. Hebrews 11:11

So, read on and discover the many ways that you and Sarah are relatives in the dual kinship of womanhood and spiritual motherhood!

I am like Sarah because I sometimes wonder what God is doing in my life.

I am like Sarah because I have moved in my lifetime.

I am like Sarah because I have emotions.

I am like Sarah because I sometimes get angry when my security is threatened.

I am like Sarah because I love deeply.

I am like Sarah because life challenges me to change.

I am like Sarah because my faith gives me strength.

I am like Sarah because I want the best for my family.

I am like Sarah because others’ choices affect me.

I am like Sarah because I fill many roles in life.

I am like Sarah because I laugh, both in derision and joy.

I am like Sarah because I see the goal, but I don’t know how to accomplish it.

I am like Sarah because God brings hope to me when I’ve failed Him.

I am like Sarah when I try to solve problems my own way instead of looking into God’s Word.

I am like Sarah because I influence more people than I realize.

I am like Sarah because I sometimes struggle with my relationships.

I am like Sarah because the LORD will make my way perfect – with or without me! Philippians 1:6

I am like Sarah because my story is not finished until God says it is done!

I am like Sarah because I have been truly blessed!

I am like Sarah because I am part of God’s bigger picture!

1 thought on “Family Portraits”

  1. Wow! How refreshing and thought provoking. This post has helped me identify with Bible women. Even though they lived so long ago, their lives have relevance today. What a blessing to see how God has orchestrated His truth to be timeless and personal.

Comments are closed.

Scroll to Top