Family

Binding Force

by Terry Barlow
11/07/17
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Colossians chapter 1 of the New Testament informs us that Jesus Christ is the binding force that holds the entire universe together. This truth is reflected in the fact that individual human families each have a binding force as well. There is usually a person who serves more than any other as the “glue” of the family, pulling it together especially in times of stress or discord. That person relates most easily and smoothly or readily to the other members of the family. Theirs is often the role of conciliation and reconciliation or initiation when organizing gatherings, outings, reunions and the like. If one of these central glue people is removed from a family or put out of commission for some reason,  like through a geographical move, or disease or disability, or a death, someone else has to step up and take the mantle of that role. The mantle can indeed be passed on to another person. It is not that the family must be without that binding force forever after the loss of the original, preferred “binder.” The new family member in that role begins to function in entirely new ways that he or she would never have thought possible. New abilities and desires seem to emerge in the personality. At the same time these new abilities and desires can be suppressed to the detriment of the family, and sometimes are suppressed, I believe, because the process of passing the mantle isn’t understood or welcomed.