The Importance of Protecting Family Unity

A father's teachings endure in the lives of his children, leaving a mark that neither time nor changing circumstances in life can erase. I want to share a lesson my father gave us during an illness from which he knew he would be taken into the presence of the Lord. His desire was to establish unity and harmony among us as siblings.

I grew up in a home with three sisters and one brother. As you know, where there are so many children, conflicts over toys or any other situation are inevitable. My parents would buy dolls or toys for all of us girls so that we would not have little quarrels; of course, they would also buy my brother toy cars or other toys. Also, when it came to clothing, they would buy dresses, shoes, socks, and so forth for all of us, unless it was someone's birthday, which meant a special day for each one of us. When minor disagreements arose, they would teach us and help us reconcile, and we would end up hugging and playing together again. When we were all older, during the time when my father was stricken with terminal cancer, he received word from the Lord that He was going to take him.

My father gathered us around his bed to say goodbye to each one of us. It was a very difficult time, and we did not want to accept that his death was approaching. Nevertheless, he spoke very calmly to each of us, beginning with my mom, thanking her and emphasizing the love and admiration he had always carried in his heart. Then he addressed each one of us, beginning with my oldest sister. Today, after so many years, I remember his words of counsel for my journey as a woman of character.

One of the fundamental points he spoke to us about was the need to protect family unity and put one another first. He used an illustration that I still remember today: he handed my sister a toothpick and said, “Break it,” and my sister broke it. Then he gave her five toothpicks and said, “Break them,” and she could not break them, no matter how hard she tried. Then he explained to us how those toothpicks represented the five of us and that remaining united would help us not only achieve our individual goals but also prevent us from being harmed by walking alone.

As I reflect on this lesson, which seemed elementary, I can see great principles, one of them being family unity. At this time, when the enemy is attacking families through children's rebellion and undermining relationships between spouses, it is essential that we equip ourselves, teach children and young people the value of unity founded on Christ, and make a deliberate effort to foster harmony between spouses in order to set an example of how to resolve interpersonal problems. Healthy, united families also foster a healthy, united church that is capable of resolving differences while seeking to see the kingdom of God established on earth. Let us remember that unity and harmony in the home are fertile ground for children's growth.

Let us pray for our families: Heavenly Father, thank You for the family You have given me. I bless my mom and my siblings, and I declare unity and harmony among us. May our differences serve to complement one another and help us in every situation. Lord, let our unity become greater as we all surrender ourselves to walking in You. I ask You to heal every wound we may have caused one another through a lack of understanding of Your truth. I declare my family free from all division and separation, and its relationships restored by the power of Your Spirit. I also declare unity in our church, and may we serve one another in the love of Christ. Amen