I think she knew before I did, and I’m his mother. Maybe she knew in the womb somehow, that he would be different. And that her heart would always be fierce when it came to him. That she would be his lioness. That she would fight for him, defend him, be his voice, and his safe place to fall. I don’t know for sure, but perhaps she knew.

This is a story about the love of one for another. Of friendship. Kinship. Allegiance. It is a story of resilience and a story of great sacrifice. A story of a heart at work and on pursuit for a greater good in a world meant to break us. This is my daughter’s story.

Her name is Emma. And she is his twin.

By design, twins have a special bond formed at the get-go. My twins—Jake and Emma—were no different. They wrestled like playful seals inside me before I ever really knew them. Once my belly swelled to accommodate their growing little bodies, I watch the skin of my stomach stretch and contort with their every move. Seven and a half months together, they grew in tandem. I was fascinated by the mystery and the wonderment of new life.

Yes, they are a them. And they are also very separate. Jake is our lamb; Emma his lioness.

Jake has autism. And like a muscle, when tested by stress it rebuilds stronger, so our family grew in response to Jake and this diagnosis. A saying that often formed across my lips was, “We are a team. This family will not work unless we work together.” So together we worked, and loved, and stretched. We did it first for him, then for each other. His success was our collective pursuit.

We all had a role to play. I quickly became coach, while Hunter, their older brother by two years, acted as team manager. Emma, of course, assumed the role of point guard directing peers and even adults how to treat, engage, and interact with her Jake.

There are many examples in the Bible of similar collective attitudes of pursuit. One of which is found in Exodus 17:8-16 where Aaron and Hur held Moses’ hands in the air to support Joshua and the Israelites in battle against the enemy army of the Amalekites.

Another powerful picture is found in Mark 2:3-4 when four men lowered their friend, who was paralyzed and unable to help himself, through the roof of a house where Jesus was teaching because they believed if they could just get to him, that he would heal their friend.

I encourage you to read these biblical accounts in their entirety. But rest assured, they both end in victory. It should be no surprise that God is always at work because He is. But when we join together, with each other, and for each other, all in pursuit of Him—well that’s a game changer.

God calls us to community. He calls us to relationship. He calls us to stand with one another. To hold each other up. To encourage each other. To be a lion for someone who is struggling as a lamb. To pray. To love. To forgive. And everything in between.

This is a thorough design of how God fashioned relationship. And if done well, a bond forms that is rich in allegiance, and grows deep roots of tenderness.

On a personal note, I had to face my worst fears as a young mom when Jake was diagnosed with Autism. I learned a lot from Emma in those early years about unconditional love. She is a master at it with Jake. But even if God doesn’t heal him despite our greatest collective pursuit, we’ve all changed because of the effort.

In the end, stretching beyond ourself for the good of another, changes us. It changes our emotional DNA. Our spiritual IQ. And our social agenda. It causes us to see the world differently, and our reactions to bow more gracefully to the will of wisdom.

And even beyond our personal change as a family and as individuals, our collective pursuit for one of our own has changed the world around us. I consider this a great gift.

Reflect and Respond:

This week, let’s commit to seeing someone that needs us to be lion and lead a collective pursuit. Maybe it’s an issue in your family—a child that is ill or walking dangerously off course. Or perhaps it is a friend or family member struggling with divorce or an addiction that is beyond their control. Once you know your who, then pray for your how. How does God want to use you in behalf of another?

Hugs for a great week and remember, you are not alone. Be blessed and be in pursuit of that which is beyond yourself.