Brothers and Sisters

I was reading today's devotion from Proverbs 31 and it was about families living together in harmony. I wish I could have read this 28 years ago, before my children were born. Now I have to say, my children grew up to love each other, and I don't remember too many fights, but I really liked how the author of this devotion taught her kids about living in harmony:

I finally sat down with my children on this frustrating morning, and explained to them that by loving each other, they are also showing their love to God; and when they are mean to each other, that God feels that as well, because the bible tells us that whatever we do to the least of these, we are also doing unto Him. As they learn to treat their brothers and sisters with love and respect, they will be equipping themselves to better love and respect all of their Christian brothers and sisters - not only those in our biological family, but those in our spiritual family of believers as well. Lastly, I helped them understand that when they treat each other lovingly they are treating Christ lovingly through their actions. Their faces beamed when they heard that they could make Jesus smile, just by being kind to one another. Even if I have to give them this speech daily for a month for the truths to sink into their hearts, it will be well worth the time and effort. We still have a long way to go in achieving perfect household harmony, but with God, all things are possible.

I also wish we would have memorized this verse as a family.
2 Corinthians 13:11 (ESV)
Finally, brothers, [and sisters] rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

Isn't that a great verse to apply to families? And after all, our church is our family too.

The next verse talks about greeting one another with a holy kiss. That might have been too much for my boys!