Building Bonds of Oneness

Family on my mother's side now spans four generations, literally scattered from coast-to-coast. Thankfully, when we gathered last month for the first time in 10 years, a cousin brought a genealogy tree showing who begat whom. 

It's a beautiful map of how we're related. Still, the even greater gift came from the stories it inspired. Our family bonds are stronger and relationships closer because the lines on the chart were brought to life by genuine connections of getting to one another more deeply.

What's true for families is true of humanity. Unity teaches that in God, we're One with all that is. But that teaching is like lines on a genealogy chart: However accurate, we must give it life to experience the depth and beauty of true spiritual connection.

How? Same as for a family reunion: It takes intention and desire. It takes making ourselves available. It takes reaching out to those outside our usual social circles and surroundings. It takes shifting our usual patterns and routines. It takes resilience and humility to allow others to be themselves. 

Here's Paul's advice to the Romans: " Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they’re happy; share tears when they’re down. Get along with each other; don’t be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don’t be the great somebody."

Happy bond-building!