Walking a fine line

"live at peace with everyone"

Romans 12:18

Do you have a family?  Then you probably have conflict.  It might be your kids going at each other in what you hope is just sibling rivalry.  It might be your grown brother and sister who seem to disagree about politics every time there's a family gathering.  It might even be a divorced aunt and uncle who have a cordial enough relationship that they can both manage to be in the same room on Christmas, but still there's an awkward tension that accompanies them. 

It can be very difficult, loving two people who don't love each other, or even who don't get along.  The feeling that you have to take sides, when really you can understand both viewpoints.  It's hard to know  how God would have us be in these situations.  "Love one another" is the commandment.   But exactly how to do that is hard to say.  How do you agree with, support, advise the one, without feeling disloyal to the other?

Lots of things mean love.  Listen.  Pray.  Be there.  Avoid gossip and a non-judgmental attitude.  And rest in the faith that He will grow and multiply our efforts to love.

~ "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, 

faithful in prayer...

Rejoice with those who rejoice;

mourn with those who mourn.

Live in harmony with one another.

Be careful to do what is right 

in the eyes of everyone.

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you,

live at peace with everyone" ~

Romans 12:12, 15-16, 17-18