Family stories

Many of my family live far away, so it is notable when we are able to gather. I have noticed something the last few years that entices me into a fresh understanding of the church. Whenever my family gathers, we tell the same foolish stories we told before--you know, stories of funny things that happened in the family, sometimes many years ago.

That may not be unusual in itself, but what surprises me is that we all genuinely laugh as though we are hearing a story for the first time. It is not forced or pretended laughter. We laugh loud and long even though we know the story well, each of us having heard or even told it numerous times. Sometimes we ask of a family member, "Tell that story when you....."

A few times we have told these stories to others, but they don't laugh much. To non-family members, they simply are accounts of something that happened to someone else. The Ross clan, however, tell them over and over because they are experiences in which we were drawn together. They help define us as a family.

I often visit different churches, both in and out of my denomination. There doesn't seem to be a lot of difference among them, however. They all seem somewhat generic. I also have noticed that not many are telling the family stories anymore. I am instructed to live with purpose and effectiveness. I am told to be compassionate and committed. I am admonished to live a holy and worshipful life.

But, I don't hear the stories that make us family. I go every Sunday hoping someone will tell the ancient narrative that the crucified Christ has been raised from the dead. And, what about the story of the coming Great Day when all will be made right, when there will be no more this or no more that?

Are we afraid that if we repeat our family stories they will lose their meaning or become boring? Have we decided they should only be told certain seasons of the year? I don't know. I do know that I miss hearing them. I know the stories well, but their "foolishness" still hold a mystery for me. They are the stories that make us family. If I heard them, I would offer a genuine "AMEN!"