31 Days :: Honor Your Siblings

I don't know about you, but I can get so wrapped up in the daily tasks of parenting that I let my mind wander away from God's Truth. But I am a thankful woman today at the thought of God's Word being taught and spoken to our children. Let me tell you, this is powerful. Letting the power of God loose in your house can turn the ship around. If you are struggling as a parent, just hang on. God is ready to intervene and change your circumstance.

So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11

I am standing on this truth. Isaiah teaches that God will achieve His purposes through the power of His Word. Not maybe. But He will. That is super exciting.

Establishing Family Rules:

Weekends are very slow in blogland, so if you were at soccer games and watching football the past few days (like me), then click here to catch up. We are prayerfully considering a few Biblically based Household Rules. Yesterday we wrote down our "Family Issues" - I shared our scroll of problems around here. This is an important step - once our struggles are identified, it is easier to write rules that apply.

Yesterday I shared...

Rule #1 Obey Quickly and Completely - Children obey your parent's in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your mother and your father. Ephesians 6:1

Now onto rule #2. The next area of focus in our home must be the relationships between siblings. I have three boys and, oh my, I could write a month on this alone. Each relationship combo is so unique. The first born's interactions with the second. The second born's with the first. The first with the third. The third with the second. And so on. Mix each brother's point of view, their own selfish motives, with lively personalities, a few strong-wills and an enormous amount of testosterone - and we've got ourselves a little boxin' match.

As a spectator -- very entertaining. As their mother -- quite defeating.

With boys, the desire to compete runs very, very, VERY high. Each brother wants to prove himself. They are constantly seeking affirmation from us and each other. Which is great. God has designed us to seek our identify somewhere. His purpose, however, is to find ourselves in Him. So, I will affirm them all day long, but ultimately, I want to shepherd them to seek their identity in Christ - not in who can pass the football the farthest.

My most discouraging moments of the day are listening to my children argue and fight. Yesterday morning it was over Legos. In the afternoon, it was outside over sports. Last night it was over a sticker book. I mean. Come on now? As parents, what do we say in these moments?

"Be nice to your brother" is not working.

Rule #2 Honor Each Other
Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Romans 12:10

Brotherly affection is defined as cherishing one another as brethren. It is the love of brothers and sisters. I tell my boys all of the time, "Having a brother is such a privilege. Imagine how different our lives would be without each other." In the heat of the moment, not having a sibling might be more appealing, but ultimately God has given them a gift in each other. I want them to be reminded of this.

I love the ESV translation of this passage -- outdo one another. How's that for a little competition, eh? To outdo one another in honor means to give preference to one another. To go before and show the way. To go before and be the leader.

L O V E. T H I S. How affirming is it to pull one aside and say, "Hey buddy, will you be the leader for mommy and show the other brothers how to love each other well? Let's show preference and think of other's first. Let's treat them super special."

It sounds so corny, but it works. I'm telling you - God's Word ... mmm mmm mm. Powerful.

And at night, when I tuck them in, I pray in faith, "Thank you God for the gift of brothers. Thank you that they are the best of friends and that they love each other so much. Thank you that they treat each other as special - with love and honor." Even if I don't see it now, I believe God will bring my prayer to pass. I want them to hear this and sow seeds of faith into their fertile, little hearts.

How are your rules coming along? Share!

(I am linking up with The Nester's 31 Day Series. Click here for over 600 links to great blogs!)