If one looks closely at the mass production process, it actually is fascinating (to me) how such machines are put together. Each part of the machine has a specific function. Each part works in concert with other pieces. Each part very important to the process. If one part starts to fail, it can cause a complete shutdown of the mighty machine. I have witnessed from my former work in the injection mold process, that if the die stamper fails, it can cause other parts to break and fail. If the problem is detected early enough, one can stop the process temporarily to fix the problem and restart with relatively quick turnaround. However, if undetected multiple part failures that are found later can mean that your machine is down for hours while the maintenance department retools new dies or fixes/replaces those failed parts. A paycheck may dependent on the number of successful things made. Goals, which have been established may not be able to be met when such things occur. Our dependence at this time is wholly on the maintenance men to fix, repair in order to get the machine going again.

We are like those parts of a great machine. We are all important integral parts that contribute to the end result. If we see others failing, we should so all within our power to help fix their problem. Because if the failed part continues on, it can, like a disease travel to others. Many times people just look at their lives as mundane. They don't see the bigger picture. What am I referring to? Family!

We are all placed into our family units by our Heavenly Father. Our earthly parents try the best they can do to make life enjoyable for their children. They also have the sacred responsibility of teaching them about our Heavenly Father, His plan for all of us, and how we can get there. Parents are not perfect. They are also learning as they go along. Children growing up sometimes see their life in a bubble; where everything is a major calamity. Where everything revolves around "me, me me". All children will go through this at least one time in their lives. Perhaps even parents will too. The old adage, " there is no "I" in "team" comes to play. We rally our family and try to head off a potential disaster.

Our responsibility, as parents are to teach them (our children) correct principles. Teach them about consequences of actions, and teach them (show them often) that they are loved and needed in their family unit. Sometimes, we as parents will sit back and watch our children start to fail. They justify this as "tough love", or "hard knock life". Perhaps they should be urging their children to follow the right path. However, as in all things, children have their agency. So, sometimes we, as parents do have to sit and watch with broken hearts our children make mistakes. Because the child exercised their agency and we, as parents have "done all we could do" to urge them. 

This is where the family unit "machine" starts to fail. We call upon our Heavenly Father to "fix" that which is broken, to right what is wronged, and to heal that which needs mending. Our dependence on The Lord is paramount; knowing that we cannot do it all without His help. Fixing, mending, and healing can take a long time to occur but if we put it into perspective that each family member is wanted and needed. Each family member has a role in keeping the family intact and running.

What is this family working toward producing? A forever family. Where, the things that we teach them will carry on and when they grow and start to build their own family "machine", they will have acquired principles from their parents that they will want to emulate in their own family. Each family member should be regarded as a very important part of the whole. And while, sometimes family life may seem menial and mundane we should perhaps step back to see the bigger picture of the end result - as a family forever.