1 Corinthians 12:12-31
For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

      14For the body is not one member, but many. 15If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. 16And if the ear says, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. 17If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? 18But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. 19If they were all one member, where would the body be? 20But now there are many members, but one body. 21And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; 23and those members of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable, 24whereas our more presentable members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, 25so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

      27Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it. 28And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, variouskinds of tongues. 29All are not apostles, are they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they? All are not workers of miracles, are they? 30All do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not speak with tongues, do they? All do not interpret, do they? 31But earnestly desire the greater gifts.
      And I show you a still more excellent way.

My family is not in unity with one another.  We are each going our own way, away from each other.  

This is not God's plan.  He carefully put this family together. 

He chose chose Bill and I to fall in love in 1974.  

To get married in 1980.

To have our first daughter in 1982 and to name her Jessica Which means "She knows."

Then in 1985 we were blessed with Justine, which means "Just and upright."

Finally in 1998, His time not my time, with many prayers and tears, we held Julianne in our arms.  Her name means, "Grace."  Grace is a gift from God above and beyond what we deserve.

Now according to 1 Corinthians 12:12 - 31, we are to be one body, one family living together in unity.

Jessica can't say, "because I don't have green eyes, I don't belong to this family."

Hebrews 12:14

Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.

Justine can't say "because I don't live in Pennsylvania, I don't belong to this family." 

Colossians 3:13 

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Julianne can't say, "I'm too young to be in this family."

Psalm 40:1

I waited patiently for the Lord;  He inclined to me and heard my cry.

God put us together in this time and place for a reason.  For His purpose, to do His will.  We need unity in this family.  We need to expand the boundaries of this family not break them apart.

Father of all of us,

I pray that our family will get closer to You and to each other. Show me what You would have me do or say, or keep me quiet and continue to pray.   Help me to be a peacemaker in my family, if it be Your will.  Bring us together so we can be an example to others of Your mighty power of forgiveness.  In Jesus name.   Amen

Isaiah 26:3

You will keep in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.