“I said STOP IT!” screamed my daughter.  The object of her frustration was, of course, her little brother.  I raised my voice from the other end of the house and said, “Both of you stop it and show the other kindness!  Don’t make me come in there!”  It was meant to be a warning but I knew what was coming.  I expected a scream and crying and, within seconds, I was not disappointed.  It had happened and ended the same way about a hundred times.  I wasn’t watching but I knew my daughter, in frustration, had done something (hit, shove, slap) to get him away.  As was custom it was time for me to step in before things escalated.  I walked into the room and directed my ‘Daddy stare’ at my daughter first, as she was the oldest.  “What did you do?!?” I asked her.  She responded, “I was trying to play with my horses and he wouldn’t leave me alone!”  She continued her story as my son began raising his voice in protest with tears still flowing.  After 30 seconds of not being able to understand either I pulled them both to the floor with me onto my lap.  I said, “Let’s talk.  Everybody take a deep breath.”  They did so and I continued by explaining to them both how they were to act.  I said, “Sissy (a nickname for my daughter), you’ve got to show kindness to Bubby (another nickname).  It’s not your job to hit or slap him because he does something to bother you.  Let me be Daddy.  Bubby, you’ve got to leave Sissy alone and stop doing things to bother her.  We have to show kindness to each other.  This is what Jesus would want us to do.”  After a few minutes of talking both had calmed and set about playing together. All was calm again…..for a little while.

This whole interaction reminded me of the church. Have you noticed the bickering in the church world lately?   Attacks on leaders, pastors, parishioners, and more.  Sad thing is, the attacks are coming from within the walls of the church.  This denomination is complaining about what the other denomination is doing.  This pastor is openly attacking this pastor.  This Christian is complaining and giving opinions about the actions of this Christian.  It’s both sad and ridiculous.  Somewhere along the way, many men and women of God have felt they have the right to do what the Holy Spirit should be doing.  When we see injustice or get frustrated with our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ we step in and attempt making things right, as if God or the Holy Spirit needed our assistance.  In Phillipians 4:2-5 we find Paul addressing two believers that have been having issues with one another.  He states in this passage, “I beseeched ye….be of the same mind in the Lord.”  In other words, you’re both fellow believers; act like it.  Christian unity isn’t always the easiest thing.  Belief systems may differ from denomination to denomination.  Rather than love we take on a judgmental attitude, reject fellow Christians, serve as judge and jury, and cut off fellowship.  In my mind’s eye I see God standing in heaven as He raises His voice a little and says, “Don’t make me come down there!”  I’ve said it before and it stands true in this circumstance; we can’t control the actions of others but we can control how we will respond.  We are called to submit to our convictions and let Daddy-God take care of disciplining others, should they need it.

Closing remarks and encouragement:  The devil is hard at work attempting to bring division in the family of God.  If he can divide us, he can set about overtaking us.  When we fight as one there’s no telling the dent the people of God could make in the Kingdom of darkness.  Let Daddy be Daddy.  You worry about you.  God’s got the rest.  “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”  [Eccl 4:12]  Between you, me, and God (not necessarily in that order) we can work TOGETHER and make an impact for the kingdom!