Of Brick Walls and Brick Paths

I do a lot of talking with kids about relational issues.  One of the most influential studies we've ever done was the Peacemaker Series, and it helped shape in me a desire to teach my children how to work on and resolve issues in a Godly way.
Jesus did come to restore relationship between man and God, so I guess maybe relationships are pretty important.  Thus we spend quite a bit of our time working through issues that arise between any who live together, but particularly happen when young ones live together.

I find analogies beautiful and impactful, so I like to use them with the kids often.  I have blogged about our weed analogy and prolly a couple others... so this is just another in the line of concrete to explain abstract.
As we struggled through an issue the other day, I began to explain it as building.
Issues with others are like bricks.
We choose to make either walls or make paths.

When we have an issue, we first must evaluate it within ourselves and see if it is something that can be overlooked.

Proverbs 12:16

"A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult."

Proverbs 19:11

"A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense."

If it cannot be overlooked, or in doing so you will allow a foothold to the devil (Eph. 4:26-27,) or a place for bitterness, then it must be dealt with.

When we refuse to deal with the issue (brick) what we really do is put that brick down between us and that person.  It causes us to stumble in our dealings with them. Add to it for a time, it becomes harder and harder to deal with those issues, and they build a wall.  The wall can shut others out, but it can also shut us in. This also creates a habit in us, making it harder to deal with any others.
Walls always cause division, that is their purpose.

God's purpose, however is unity.

Psalm 133:1

" How good and pleasant it is
   when brothers live together in unity!"

John 17:23

"May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me."

Ephesians 4:3

"Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."

So we must work on the issues!  When we take that same brick and, digging into the ground between us, make a place for it we will create a path.   Paths create a strong connection between us.  They make a smooth way for us to be together.  Their purpose is to bring unity.