Getting along together

My daughter, Christal, unexpectedly had an emergency C-section at 36 weeks on Thursday. I knew I needed to be there and with the support of many dear friends and co-workers, I was able to drop everything to drive to Chesapeake, VA, to help with the grandchildren. This allowed my son-in-law to be freed up to focus on spending time with Christal and their newborn baby, Noah Justice. It had been awhile since I had my grandchildren, Alyvia and Caleb, as my constant companions.

One thing I noticed right away was the importance of modeling and encouraging them to get along with one another and at the playpark learning how to get along with others. God impressed on my heart that it was important to reinforce what they were learning from their parents by helping to cultivate a cooperative, generous and kind attitude in each of them, regardless of how they might be feeling.

I challenged them to choose to put the feelings aside and follow God’s guidelines instead. I loved celebrating when each of them made right choices and the atmosphere was full of unity and love when we chose to follow God’s Word on how to get along together. In the five days I spent watching these precious grandchildren, we focused on the following wise choices:

I choose to be patient, not angry.

“Let everyone be quick to hear [be a careful, thoughtful listener], slow to speak [a speaker of

carefully chosen words and], slow to anger [patient, reflective, forgiving]. “ James 1:19 AMP

I choose to forgive and not hold grudges.

“Be gentle and ready to forgive; never hold grudges. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must

forgive others.” Colossians 3:17

Don’t be quick to fly off the handle.

Anger boomerangs.…” Ecclesiastes 7:9 MSG

I choose to watch what I say and how I say it.

“Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps,

each word a gift.” Ephesians 4:29

A soft and gentle and thoughtful answer turns away wrath,

But harsh and painful and careless words

stir up anger.” Proverbs 15:1 AMP

I choose to get along with others.

“You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if

you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor.”

James 3:18 MSG

I choose to let others bring out the best in me.

“Love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a

hard time, respond with the energies of prayer for that person…If someone takes unfair advantage

of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously.” Luke

6:27-30 MSG

By choosing to apply God’s guidelines, we can make our lives more enjoyable while we learn to get along with others. It takes a lot of patience on our part to help others to develop the ability to control their feelings and consider the rights of others.

There are times when the grandchildren needed a time out. That quick moment alone helped them to recharge and refocus. God reminded me that there are times I might need a timeout, too. If I find myself becoming angry and losing my ability to think clearly, it is best to withdraw in order to have time to think the matter over clearly and to be able to get fresh perspective.

Often God challenges me to respond with the energies of prayer for that person and the

circumstances. In my office I have a plaque that reads, “Let Go and Let God.” As we commit the

person and the circumstances over to God, we are able to put our trust and confidence in Him to

work it out.

For His Kingdom,