Unity

Summer is in full swing here is Texas.  Our days have been heating up to about 92 degrees for the past few weeks and countless birds can be heard busily chatting with each other from behind the covering of the lush green leaves on our trees.  We've seen grass snakes slithering by, fire ants scurrying across the hot sidewalk and roly poly's (pill bugs) bumbling along.  The kids are captivated by the sights and sounds of this new season and have joyfully taken the heat and the bug bites in stride. 

Summer also brings numerous breaks from our regular routine, each one unique and welcomed yet challenging in its own right.   We're already enjoying early morning playdates at the park, trips to the pool and lots of time playing in our backyard.  We're looking forward to starting the summer reading program at our library next week and Nicole is counting down the days to a much-anticipated family gathering later this summer. 

As we navigate and anticipate each new aspect of our summer, I have felt an unmistakeable tug to pursue unity.  Unity in our home means keeping short accounts with each other and regularly asking for forgiveness.  Unity among our friends and family means believing the best in one another and choosing to empathize instead of judge and extend grace instead of take offense.  I have had to humbly and earnestly ask God to help me pursue unity by considering others needs before my own.  I have had to regularly step back and examine other people's perspectives in order to avoid the sticky traps of devision among those I love.  I'm learning that unity is a choice to be made rather than something that is naturally achieved. 

There is blessing in living united as siblings, friends, cousins and spouses because unity is often accompanied by love, grace, empathy and forgiveness.  It takes grit and humility to live at peace with one another regardless of the circumstances at hand but it's always worth it in the end. 

I hope you're summer is off to a great start!
Love,
Erica