Family

We cannot choose what family or country we want to be born in. We have no choice of parents or relatives. Thankfully mine kept their wedding vow, ‘til death do us part’. My older brother kept his wedding vow, as did my younger brother. I suppose there were disagreements and spats, but they had enough sense and stability to overcome and stick together.

The offspring produced a pattern of messed up lives – marriage, divorce, remarriage, or worse yet, living with a partner. A de facto relationship may be recognized by governments, even to the point of joint ownership of property. A common law wife can claim property. That, too, can have its problems, difficulties, uncertainties and disappointments. And what about children who are involved?

What does God think about this? The Bible calls such situations adultery. There has been so much of this in my family that I don’t know who my relatives are. Little wonder that I enjoy the deepest respect, love and loyalty of my Japanese brothers and sisters in the Lord.

Because of various responsibilities, I didn’t get to attend my older brother’s 50^th. Wedding Anniversary celebrations. When he was nearing his 60^th. , I planned to go and help celebrate. I made arrangements, preparing the itinerary and packing. I called my brother and related my plans and added, “Hang in there. I’ll see you soon.”

He replied, “I’m not so sure.” He seemed to know his time was limited. Later I got a phone call and attended his funeral rather than his anniversary celebration. Were it not for my Japanese family, I would have felt quite alone in the world. They helped me prepare, and supported me in my grief.