The In-Laws & the Outlaws

“If we truly love Christ, we will care for those who are loved by Him. Those who are dear to Him will be dear to us.” – C.H. Spurgeon

F. Dean Truax… Phyllis Truax… Jill Truax… Roger and Carolyn Truax… Dale and Marion Truax… Gary and Wildena Truax… Coy and Dorothy Spade… Jim and Dee Spade… Charlie and Karen Mehring… Johnny and Patty Keefer.

Floyd and Marion Truax… Veryl and Adrian Spade… various other aunts, uncles, and cousins, some of whom have already died, and none of whom I knew existed until 1984. But on June 29, 1985, when I slipped a wedding ring onto the finger of Deanna Louise Truax – and changed her surname to Glading – all her relatives became mine… and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

After all, when you get married, you don’t just marry your spouse. You marry their entire family, including the in-laws (and sometimes a few outlaws, too). Just kidding about that last part!

But in all seriousness, this earthly picture is a mere representation of the spiritual brothers and sisters that we inherit when we trust Jesus Christ as our Savior and are adopted into God’s family, grafted into the tree of Israel, and made an heir to God’s promises to Abraham (see Romans 11:17-32).

Both the Spade and the Truax sides of Deanna’s family are famous for their big reunions. The Spades generally gather on Christmas Eve, rotating between different houses, and the Truax’s just launched a summer get-together last year that went so well there are plans to make it an annual event.

The food is delicious, and the fellowship tastes even better. Kind of like the Marriage Supper of the Lamb described in Revelation 19:6-9.

If you haven’t done so already, please make your dinner reservations now by repenting of your sins and placing your faith and trust in Jesus!

“Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!” Psalm 133:1 (BSB)

- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President