The following were those who came up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addan, and Immer, though they could not prove their fathers’ houses or their descent, whether they belonged to Israel: the sons of Delaiah, the sons of Tobiah, and the sons of Nekoda, 652.  Also, of the sons of the priests: the sons of Habaiah, the sons of Hakkoz, and the sons of Barzillai (who had taken a wife from the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called by their name).  These sought their registration among those enrolled in the genealogies, but they were not found there, and so they were excluded from the priesthood as unclean.  Ezra 2:59-62

I have spent hours researching my family’s genealogy as a hobby.  I was able to find some lines that extended generation upon generation, yet I have some lines that only go back five or six generations.  And then there are two important lines on one side of my family that only go back to my great grandparents and then the lines are dead ends wherever I have looked.

I felt sad that I could not find more without actually going to Italy to scour through church and government records.

In Ezra 2, we see lists of names where no record of the family heritage could be found.  These were excluded from the priesthood for the time being.

Those people in my family history with no record are excluded from my history record.  They are gone from this earthly life.  I can not bring them back nor make any memories with these people that I would call family.  But these people on Ezra’s lists were there, in person, and could not be accounted for in the records.  Their priestly roots were unknown and there they stood.  I can only imagine that their arms would be open wide, voices calling to God, “But I am here and You know me.  I want to be Your priest.  Help!”  Maybe…   By not being able to find the roots of those who grew into living beings leaves one at a dead end, helpless.

No matter what my personal family tree looks like, how many generations are lost to “no records,” I am here and know of my godly family tree.  I am alive and know that I am so blessed to be connected through the beauty of knowing that I am rooted in God.  He is the Father and I am a part of His Tree.

He created me.

Your eyes saw my unformed substance;

in your book were written, every one of them,

the days that were formed for me,

when as yet there was none of them. 

Psalm 139:16

He is my Father.

But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door

and pray to your Father who is in secret. 

And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 

Matthew 6:6

I am His child. 

Yet He is actually not far from each one of us, for

“‘In Him we live and move and have our being’;

as even some of your own poets have said,

“‘For we are indeed His offspring.’

Being then God’s offspring, 

we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone,

an image formed by the art and imagination of man. 

Acts 17:27b-29

I am not lost nor orphaned. 

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.  

For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear,

but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 

Romans 8:14-15

I know His Son as my Savior and LORD.  He is the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father.

For to us a child is born,

to us a Son is given;

and the government shall be upon his shoulder,

and His name shall be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 

Isaiah 9:6

I am rooted in Love and know to Whom I belong. 

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God,

and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 

1 John 4:7

I am His.

But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION,

A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION,

so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him

who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

for you once were NOT A PEOPLE,

but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD;

you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY,

but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.

1 Peter 2:9-10

Father, I thank You for adopting me into Your family.  Through Your Son, Christ Jesus, I have come to be His sister because I believe.  I believe that He is the One Who died for me upon the Cross.  I believe that Jesus is the One and Only Savior and LORD.  I believe that Your Word is the Truth.  I believe.  I am one who is written in Your Book of Life and on Your family tree.  I do not have to feel afraid or alone for I am grafted into the tree and live because Your sent Your Son for me, the sinner.  Thank You, Father.  Thank You.  In the beautiful Name of Your Son, I pray.  Amen. 

I am…