The Power of Unity and Love

Last week was a very busy week for me. Lots of family came in town to celebrate my husband’s promotion. Festivities kicked off on Wednesday and went all the way until Sunday.

Needless to say, I was exhausted when everyone left. I love to have company visit, but entertaining takes a lot out of you!

Let me tell you who all came. Pay close attention to this guest list, okay?

• My Mom
• Mother-in-law
• Father-in-law
• Bonus Mother-in-law (Father-in-law’s wife)
• Sister-in-law
• Brother-in-law #1
• Brother-in-law #2

It was originally supposed to be just my husband’s family, but my mom wanted to come too. She hadn’t seen my husband since before he deployed and she loves him as if he were her own son.  There was no way we were going to celebrate without her!

Oh yeah, in case you missed it, my husband’s Mom and Dad are divorced and his Dad remarried.

When my husband and I started planning for this event, we took very careful consideration of the family dynamics. We didn’t want anyone to feel uncomfortable. It had been years and years since everyone had been together at the same place AND for several days at a time.

All of our concerns were erased when my father-in-law and bonus mother-in-law showed up. My mom and mother-in-law were already at our home and walked with my husband and I up to the foyer to greet them. One of the first people that my bonus mother-in-law hugged was my mother-in-law. From that moment, I knew that everything was going to be okay.

The promotion ceremony went well. Our family interaction times were great. All of the grandparents managed to get quality time in with our son. We showed everyone around the city, took in some tourist sites, and attended an athletic event. It was truly a great and memorable time.

I don’t know the details of everything that happened in the past with my in-laws, but I do know one thing. They all have a common bond. They all love my husband and wanted to make sure that he had a wonderful weekend with all of his family together. They were here to celebrate my husband’s accomplishments and let bygones be bygones.

Sometimes, we have to look past our own feelings and personal agendas to join together in unity, especially when there is a greater good at stake.

Is there something that you are holding on to that is preventing you from moving forward in the spirit of unity? If so, I pray that you will reevaluate the situation, look past yourself, and move toward the greater good.

Psalm 133:1 KJV – Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

Tagged as: Military Life, military promotions, unity