Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.
Colossians 3:14
Oh, little brothers… and little sisters for that matter! Don’t ya just love ’em to pieces? (I can see you smirking!) Let’s admit it. Sometimes brothers and sisters get on our nerves… But that doesn’t make it right. Allow me to explain.
The world views us (or at least me) as a teenager that has too much responsibility having to occasionally help mom with the kids. The world teaches us that we should not have to be helping with laundry, wiping noses, cooking meals–it is too much work for one so young, trying to explore life! I don’t know if that is you but that is not me!
God intended for you to help your mother with housework, chores, and yes–even the children, so that she could train you for your future roll of being a wife and mother. Little brothers and sisters are a gift from the Lord (Psalm 127) and they should be embraced! Their talents, their joys, even their shortcomings should all be embraced. Through your brothers’ and sisters’ shortcomings you are being sharpened and refined for the work that the Lord has for you when you become a mother and have to take care of your own children that will very likely have similar shortcomings.
When your little brother comes and gets in your bed in the middle of the night because he is scared, embrace him! Cuddle him close, give him a few kisses, tell him you love him! When your little sister draws you another card- the millionth one and you’re tired of figuring out what to do with them- embrace her. Thank her, use some double-sided tape and tape it to your bedroom wall, and tell her you love her! When your other little brother wants to play catch in the backyard but you just started to read that last chapter, embrace him! Put a mark in your book–for how long will your little brother be nine years old wanting to play catch with his big sister?– and race him to the backyard. Oh, yeah. And don’t forget to tell him that you love him.
Have you noticed something? 🙂 Tell your brothers and sisters that you love them! When they walk by, clothesline them and kiss them on the cheek. Ruffle your brother’s hair as he passes by and say, “I love you!”.
These days won’t last forever, and your brothers and sisters will eventually grow up and have their own families. Will they be any less fun? No way! But imagine what kind of stories they would tell their own daughters, using you as an example (how much of a privilege and delight is that?!?) about how their big sister never turned them away, she was so joyful to do things with them, and how she just couldn’t stop telling them that she loved them! Embrace your brothers and sisters! You will have many friends in your life, but your brothers and sisters have been and will be your friends the longest period of time: forever.
What are some ways that you could show your little siblings that you love them? Read them a book? Bake cookies together? Take them out for coffee? (Ha, that’s one of my favorites!)
How might you encourage them in their walk with the Lord?
What do you think you could do to encourage them in the skills and gifts that God has given them?
Are there areas in your relationships with your siblings that you see lacking in which you may need to show them more love?
Written by Jonathan
Rev. Jonathan Cronkhite has been serving youth and families for the last 28 years. With the heart of a pastor, he encourages and equips families to have Homes Devoted, through conferences, workshops, coaching, and writing. Married to Carrie for 25 years, they have 5 children, three of whom are young adults. Jonathan enjoys working alongside and discipling his teenage sons and their friends, renovating and flipping homes. He supports Carrie as she leads a home school co-op, and together they practice hospitality and serve in the community.
