Knit together with love
Christ commands us to be as little children … and oh, how often the little children around me exemplify exactly why!
We traveled to some dear forever friends of ours; and even though it had been a while since the last visit, our kiddos meshed and loved each other instantly. To see the six (almost seven) darling littles join in a joyous friendship that has been going on for decades tickled my heart. During one mealtime prayer, a tot thanked the Lord that their cousins had come – we were dibbed family and felt like it too!
As the close of our visit came upon us (too quickly), the kiddos clung to each other – not wanting the weekend to end. They imaginatively devised plans of how to stop the inevitable … including this impressive hair creation:
A talented nine-year-old made that up and made it work – amazing! And yes, we heard a lot of laughs as this trio made their way through the breakfast line and around the house that morning!
Talk about being knit together with love!
Christ taught and pleaded that His followers would be braided in purpose and hearts.
In His great Intercessory prayer He said,
“That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me” (John 17:21).
And His message has been echoed by living prophets on the earth during every dispensation.
“The Lord’s prophets have always called for unity,” said President Henry B. Eyring. “The need for that gift to be granted to us and the challenge to maintain it will grow greater in the days ahead, in which we will be prepared as a people for our glorious destiny.”
That apostolic warning that it will be challenging to maintain unity is apparent – in families, in societies and in our Church – which is why maintaining and creating unity deserves conscious effort on our part.
Unity means loving others as we would love ourselves. It means mourning with those who mourn, and celebrating good with those who celebrate good. It means listening, kindness, and accepting … there’s no room for catty chat, judgments or putdowns. We must tighten our ties and trust in God’s teamwork.
“Unity comes by following the light from above. It does not come out of the confusions below. While men depend upon their own wisdom and walk in their own way, without the guidance of the Lord they cannot live in unity … The way to unity is for us to learn the will of the Lord and then to do it,” said Marion G. Romney in this inspired address. (https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1983/04/unity?lang=eng&query=unity)
Like all eternally good things, unity requires significant effort – but is absolutely possible! Thankfully, we have examples around us to look to and aspire to. Christ is the ultimate exemplar … and our Chirst-like little children are pretty amazing examples too. As we look to Him, and follow His light and His little ones, we can be “knit together in unity and in love one towards another” (Mosiah 18:21) … we can be braided in purpose and heart.
