we. are. family.

You know you want to sing it.

We got out of the car and headed towards the front doors. I was hoping for a no-drama, forgettable trip to Target. Halfway down the parking lot my daughter reached over and grabbed my son’s hand. He complied and then they all but skipped to the doors.

It did something to my heart.

I guess it was extra-special because of the many, many other moments where clawing and gnashing of teeth define their interactions. They fuss and fight and tattle and complain.

Ugh. It grieves me.

I think God must “feel” a similar way. When He looks at His children and He sees us holding hands, working together, and loving regardless, it pleases Him.

But it also grieves Him when we act…dysfunctional. When we gossip about Suzie or publicly criticize John, we quench the fire of His Spirit.

Instead of lifting the one beside us who falls, we silently rejoice at their setback because, “They had it comin’.” And slowly our witness to a desperate world becomes watered-down with love-less hearts.

Yet He is the God of oneness.

He designed you and me distinct in purpose. He placed a call upon each of us, individually, before we breathed our first breath. He gifted us for the good of His body and the glory due His name. Then He beseeches us to run in that call, side-by-side, holding hands.

We’re in this thing together. We’re family. So as much as depends upon us, let’s hold hands and do some skipping. (Or not on the skipping. That part is optional.)

Fill me, Lord…

How can we promote unity — hold hands — with fellow believers, especially if others may be stirring discord?