Tip of My Iceberg

They ranged in age from two years to thirteen, one girl and the rest rambunctious boys. The cousins had been hanging together for several days, and on New Year’s Eve, they all connected over a movie.

Isley, our thirteen-ear-old granddaughter, was the magnet who drew them all together. She has a unique knack of operating upwards relationally with those older than she is and downwards with the younger kids.

Everyone loves Isley.

We all know those who are people magnets. They have a winsomeness about them that makes others feel comfortable and safe, an authenticity that draws others into confidence because they feel heard and known.

When we find people like that, we need to nurture those relationships.

Isley has imagination that embraces others. She leads the littles to create short plays or musical numbers. They listen to her and follow her lead because of her kindness. With her it’s not a competition–it’s a collaborative effort that makes everyone feel like they’re a significant part of the group.

It’s what we all long for in this world. A chance to be seen, heard, and valued by others. Where we live is a world of chaos and war, divisiveness and disagreements. Kindness toward others seems impossible.

But hope is what God promises us if we trust Him.

“The Lord will mediate between nations and will settle international disputes. They will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will no longer fight against nation, nor train for war anymore.” Isaiah 2:4

The picture God paints of a future in eternity with Him is one of construction and hope, not destruction and despair. Weapons of war will be remade into tools to grow life-giving food, and joy and freedom from death will be our hope.

We talk about the need for peace but no one can imagine what it could look like because everyone wants what they want with no desire to give up what feels important to them. There’s no willingness to work together, to imagine what “together” could be if we would give up our demands and seek the good of others. Peace needs to be worked at to make it real and lasting–a collaborative effort, one in which everyone needs to contribute and compromise, create and conciliate. Peace must be accomplished in the community of humanity.

We have to be willing to connect with and care for those that aren’t just like us.

Isley has learned a lesson that we can all benefit from.

Working with others for common goals–even when we’re not alike–provides us with a sense of unity that we desperately need.

Can we do “together”?