That’s what she said. I had heard loud thumping in the other room and called to my oldest daughter Mary Joy who simply said, “I’ve been hitting on walls lately. It’s fun!”
I bit my lip and smiled. One person’s way of being at home is different than another’s. My daughter’s fun was my frustration.
It reminded me of how things were when I was a youth pastor. The high school students hit on walls and the older folks bit their lips. One person’s way of being at home was different than another’s.
If blending together different goals, personalities and values is tough in a home of five, how much tougher should we expect it to be in a church of hundreds?
It’s no wonder that so much of what the Apostle Paul wrote was aimed at preserving unity in church families. Look at some of his comments and picture ancient toga-wearing teenagers hitting the walls while others tried to bite their lips.
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:2-3
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Colossians 3:12-14
Aren’t people funny!?!