I remember when my boys were little. There were days I felt more like a referee than a mom.

My little one was usually the instigator, egging his big brother on (see pic above). But it takes two to tango. Right? So, when it looked like there was no end in sight, I’d step in.

“Okay boys. Enough is enough. Repeat after me, ‘How good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell together in unity.’”

Yes, I was THAT mom. I made my kids quote scriptures at the most inopportune times. But I was determined, my kids WILL get along, whether they like it or not.

And you know what? It worked. They stopped fighting! The Word of God is not only powerful, it’s also a great distraction. Of course, they were now annoyed at me instead of each other.

The Old Testament is filled with examples of how NOT to treat your brother. Cain and Abel, Jacob and Esau, Joseph and his brothers.

But in the book of Exodus, we come across Miriam, Aaron and Moses, a set of siblings who actually got along. Miriam, waited by the bulrushes to ensure Moses’ safety. Decades later, Aaron and Moses work side by side, leading the children of Israel out of Egyptian slavery….TOGETHER!

But even these three had their moments. Remember the golden calf? What was Aaron thinking?

Then in Numbers 12, Aaron AND Miriam spoke against Moses. They had an issue with his authority (who died and made him boss?) and with his wife’s ethnicity (she was a Cushite not an Israelite).

As a result, God struck Miriam with a skin disease. Aaron cried out to Moses, “Please, my lord, do not hold against us the sin we have so foolishly committed.”

It would have been the perfect “I told you so” moment. But Moses held his tongue and prayed for his sister instead.

Talk about CHOOSING to turn a bad situation into one of restoration and healing.

Centuries later, David mentions Aaron in a beautiful Psalm about brotherly fellowship and the blessing of unity. “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on Aaron’s beard…FOR THERE THE LORD BESTOWS HIS BLESSING.” (Psalm 133 NIV) 

So, maybe you too have days where you feel more like referee than a mom, or perhaps your kids aren’t the only ones at odds with one another. Family drama can last decades.

I won’t pretend to understand every crazy situation out there, but I do know what Psalm 133 says. Strive for unity. It’s good, it’s pleasant and His blessing is there.

Don’t give up. Be THAT mom, THAT sister, THAT girl.  It’s never too late. Pray Psalm 133 over your relationships.

“For there the Lord bestows His blessing.”

-Binu