Siblings (Part 2)

 Siblings

 

Part Two 

A few months ago I asked my readers for their thoughts on siblinghood.  You can read the Results of Poll here. I later did a post regarding the poll.  Unfortunately it was a long post, so I decided to re-share it in two parts for easier reading.

To the Baby and Younger Siblings:

I would like to encourage you little sister or brother that you are important to the family role. You will always have the “special spot” in everyone's heart, as the “baby”.

With this comes some hard tasks. I have heard from many “babies” of the family that they struggle with selfishness. They were spoiled, and it is hard not to take things for granted.

The little sibling can be a blessing or a great hindrance to their older siblings. You are capable of making the older siblings life complicated or sweet.

 Attention

Young lady, I want you to know you can boost the confidence of your older brother. If you cherish his protection you can encourage chivalry in his heart. Sisters often prepare their brothers for their future marriage. You can either habituate them to tantrums and ungratefulness, or your can make their job a pleasure.

Sometimes younger siblings will belittle their older siblings to lift themselves up. You don't seem naive, or childish if you are rebuking your older sibling, criticizing their mistakes or telling them what to do. Babies of the family can be really bossy. This does not benefit anyone. It usually stirs up that older sibling to be more strict, or it can actually make some cow to your wishes (depending on personalities).

It is possible to be meek and humble without being naïve or childish. In fact, your obedience or humility will prove your maturity and even convict your older siblings to greater heights.

You may have to work hard at communicating with your older siblings. You might have to let them know you desire their attention. You might have to initiate. This is a sacrifice, but it's worth it! You might expect your older sibling to be the encourager, the mature one – when in fact, God has planned for you to step up and encourage. Older siblings are human. We need you as much as you need us. Little notes from my younger siblings makes my day. We can be lonely too, you know? We can crave attention. Sometimes we older siblings forget to communicate how thankful we are for you younger siblings. This morning while doing devotions one of my younger siblings woke up and I could hear him singing as he got out of bed. It blessed my heart to hear him so cheerful. If I do not let him know, he may never realize his attitude effects me (his older sister). Day by day you might be being cheerful for your family's sake. You might be the peacemaker. The encourager. And it is easy to become discouraged after continuous days of giving, and no-one seems to notice. Dear friend, your efforts are not in vain! They are noticed. They are helpful. Even if no-one thanks you. God is using your service. Your attitude effects your older siblings. Your attitude effect those who have authority over you. God asks that you obey them and submit yourself. This is profitable to you.

“Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.” Hebrews 13:7

Taking Control

You also might have to take the initiative to learn lessons not expected of you. You might have to outgrow your parents or older siblings little expectation and take on responsibilities. Often older siblings are shouldered with tasks out of necessity. You aren't expected to help with the cooking. You aren't expected to get a job. You never were asked to do the laundry or clean the house. To drive your mom to her appointment. Maybe your older siblings are burnt out? Overtaxed. And you simply never noticed how you could be a help, because no-one expected you to.

You have the opportunity to either be a taker or a giver. A blessing or a hindrance. Also remember, even if you are the “baby” in your family, there are usually younger “siblings in Christ” that are watching you. You are a testimony of what the baby of the family should be. You are an influence. God specifically put you in your family, exactly where you're at on the totem pole, for a specific purpose. It's your calling to be the baby. Be faithful friend, He will use you.  

Encouragement 

“Say not you cannot gladden, elevate, and set free; that you have nothing of the grace of influence, that all you have to give is at most only common bread and water. Give yourself to your Lord for the service of men with what you have. Cannot He change water into wine? Cannot He make stammering words to be instinct with saving power? Cannot He change trembling efforts to help into deeds of strength? Cannot He still, as of old, enable you in all your personal poverty “to make you rich?” God has need of thee for the service of thy fellow men. He has a work for thee to do... 'Whatever He saith unto you, do it.'” George Body, Daily Strength for Daily Needs, p.110

Related Posts:

A Poll for Siblings 

The Key to Our Siblings Hearts

A Letter from a Daughter's Heart