They had enjoyed an unusually close friendship at work. It started out as a mentoring relationship as the older woman showed her the ropes. But soon they became friends – more than friends, really – a special bond developed. They were both surprised and delighted to discover, one day, they were mother and daughter, separated at birth and now reunited. No wonder the connection between them had seemed so natural. The separation had been repaired, the relationship restored.
As you consider that amazing, true story, put these two verses together:
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:27)
“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he [Jesus] said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. (Matthew 22:36-38)
Can you see why that commandment is first, is of primary importance? Repairing and restoring that relationship is the starting point for everything else.