Hearts, Peace, and Living Together
I look forward to the homeschool convention season when I hope to see some of you again and meet some of you for the first time. I am always blessed to hear your stories and learn about your children. You make me laugh, you make me cry, and you always teach me.
I often think of the homeschooling mother who taught me what can happen when people make issues more important than other people. I’ll call her Kimberly.
Several months before I met Kimberly, she was a trim and healthy 40-something who exercised regularly. She was also active in her church. As too often happens, a controversy arose within the congregation. Kimberly ended up in a meeting with some of its leaders. They “raked her over the coals” about whatever the controversy was.
Each of us has a heart, a mind, a soul, and a body–all quite connected. Kimberly’s whole self responded to the controversy. Her heart ached, her mind was troubled, her soul was grieved. And her body . . .
When I met Kimberly, she was recovering from a heart attack. Tests revealed no physical cause for that heart attack. It was evidently a result of her grief and pain, grief and pain caused by controversy and conflict with people who should have nurtured her.
Churches, homes, and extended families should be places of refuge, safe places where:
- Every person feels respected and cherished;
- Every person’s ideas are respected and cherished, and whenever possible acted upon;
- Every person knows that the others have time for him or her; and
- Every person’s heart, soul, mind, and body is nourished.
Teachings from Romans 15 give us insight about how to implement these goals in these most precious groups of people. Notice how this chapter instructs us to please other people. We need to care about and act upon what other people desire.
- We who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves (verse 1).
- Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification (verse 2).
- For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me” (verse 3)
- May the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ (verse 5).
- With one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (verse 6).
- Accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God (verse 7).
May God give us hearts devoted to doing just this, so we may teach it and exemplify it in front of our children, while we remember:
As far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.
Romans 12:18
In many ways, that is what you are doing through this blog and your daily emails. No matter how busy you are,…no matter how you feel, or what burdens and challenges you may be experiencing, or what else is going on in your life…you take the time to encourage, edify, and nurture others through these daily posts. Thank you, Charlene.
This is one of the most encouraging comments I have received since beginning the blog. Thank you very much, Betsy.