How can 2 walk together, except they agree?

This has been the theme recently in almost all aspects of my life - work, marriage, motherhood, daughterhood and friendship.

Being with someone in any relationship will involve being in some kind of agreement about basic things as well as deep spiritual stuff. And when that doesn't exist, what you have is resentment, anger, strife and disappointment.

How to agree?
By being submissive to another's will - this is easier said that done for me. I am known for my mule-like stubborness.

By negotiating a "agree to disagree" scenario - not always ideal and can't have too many of these in a relationship.

Persuasive dialogue - talk someone around to see and accept your point of view (My personal favourite :) heh heh)

By building the basic foundation of the relationship together, so there are agreed upon values which will not flounder when the load on them gets too heavy at times.

I think God uses all of these to build a relationship with us. He submitted to death on the cross to remove the division between us, allowed us to give up some of his laws regarding diet, war and non-beleivers, talked to us through the gentle voice of Jesus Christ and then his disciples to help us see his view and put in place his commandments as a shared set of values for us to enjoy building His kingdom with him.

Agreeing with each other is not as impossible as it looks. As beleivers especially, half the work is already done for us.