Filling in the cracks under pressure.

​Every group, family, and relationship has cracks.  Here is the thing.  When that foundation stone is under intense pressure, it is NOT possible to repair the cracks.  If nothing is done, then cracks will widen and eventually the foundations will crumble completely leaving a disaster zone for everything, and everyone connected.   The problem to manage is repair, without driving wedges into the cracks and making the problem worse.  

In our world today, our families, our churches, our institutions are under immense pressure.  Cracks which have been present forever, are being stressed and widened.  Many of these “institutions” will suffer catastrophic failures.  As a leader in my family, in my church,  it is my job to care for the entire system.  I seek to repair the cracks, or at least fill them.  HOW? 

First, I use time to remove pressure and then I find the strong pieces, and use them to carry the load for the weaker sections as we add strength.  
The mortar is love, but the solution requires more than simply loving and accepting.  It is a balancing act of stress and relief, communication and care and accountability for change.  Understanding the true pillars of the foundation is a required step.  For me, that is faith and commitment to God.   

As a family comes apart, there are flex points.. fulcrums and pressure points.  The process is the same for bring one together.   We must accept the cracks, and seek to fill them so that we can lift one another and shore up the foundation.  

Disagreements must not be allowed to move to contempt.  
Actions and decisions affecting the “whole” must take into account the needs of the individuals.   
People are equal.  Ideas and solutions are not.  Decisions and actions separate but they also unite when connected to a shared purpose.  Unity of purpose does not require uniformity of action, but it does require a shared understanding and direction.  

FAMILY.  FAITH.  These are flawed and cracked…  but the foundations rooted in stone, rather than sand will stand the pressure… and by working together, we can find a way to avoid collapse.  IF… we choose to do so.  
For me, it is unacceptable to see the coming failure and do nothing, but doing something must not spread divide and weaken the whole.  We must agree on the definition of the whole.