By Belle Hignight (10)

Being a big sister can be a wonderful thing, if you look for all the blessings in it! I have been so blessed lately by my baby sister, Charlotte-Grace Redemption. My three sisters and I prayed that God would give us another baby. He did! When I first met her, I was so overwhelmed with joy. She was so perfect. She is now 7 months old and loves to play peek-a-boo. She loves her toes, and laughs when we read her stories. She has a basket full of toys and she knows what’s inside. She tips it over and grabs whatever toy she wants. It’s adorable!

She has two teeth now, but she likes milk a whole lot better than food. It reminds me of this verse and how we are supposed to desire God’s word. “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” (1 Peter 2:2). It has been so wonderful to watch her learn and grow. “Lo, children are a heritage from the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward” (Psalm 127:3). She now reaches out her arms when I walk by. I often wonder what she will do when she gets older and what she will like. Will she like animals like our sister Gabby or will she like crafts like me? Will she like to be home like our sister Lily or will she be lively and love to share like our sister Juliet? I guess we’ll have to find out.

I like this verse a lot: “Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.” (Psalm 8:2) Charlotte has been such a blessing to our family.  ♥

What are some fun games you enjoy playing with your little siblings? Leave a comment below to share with us!

_________________________________________ This month, KBR is hosting an “Encourage Your Siblings Challenge.” Throughout April, we are posting one article each week by big sisters, who will share encouragement and ideas for how to bless the younger siblings in our lives. We would love to hear your ideas as well – feel free to comment. Feel free to tell your friends about this challenge and encourage them to join you as you “Encourage Your Siblings”! _________________________________________

 

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by Beth Thompson

“Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love;
in honour preferring one another.”
{Romans 12:10}

What precious gifts the LORD has given us in our siblings! I thank GOD daily for these family friendships that He has blessed me with; relationships that are used as teaching tools by the LORD to grow and mature me into the woman that He desires me to be.

I am often reminded of how fleeting these years with our siblings are, and how important it is to be making the most of each moment that the LORD gives us as older sisters. What memories do I desire to have when I look back at this season as a daughter and sister at home? Memories of being too busy with my list and schedule to play music duets with my brother? Or that I took the time to step out of the whirlwind of the things that need to be done, and into the world of a child? I want to remember laughing, playing, and rejoicing with my siblings.

What are some practical ways that we can invest in our brothers and sisters? Our siblings need to know that we love them, not just “in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and in truth.” (1 John 3:18) The verbal “I love you,” before bed each night is not enough. Our brothers and sisters must know that we enjoy being with them, and that we delight in being their older sisters.

We must include them in our lives, even when it is sometimes more work to make bread with my little sisters than simply to do it by myself. The shining faces over the supper table, when two delighted little girls declare, “We helped bake this bread,” more than make up for the extra time and effort it took to include them in the task.

Some other ways we can love our siblings are:

• Giving them lots of hugs.
• Greet them with smiles.
• Ask them to spend time with you, instead of the other way around. Younger siblings are usually the ones to ask the older sister (or brother) for some attention. Would it not bless them if their sister came to invite them to join her on a walk, take part in a science experiment, or have a mini tea party?
• Spend time talking with them and listen to what they share with you; what they tell you is meaningful to them.
• Look for ways to make their day special. A sweet note or a cup of tea can brighten anyone’s day!
• Be quick to praise them, and slow to criticize or grow frustrated.
• Pray with them and for them. This is incredibly strengthening in our friendships, and faith building to see the LORD answer pray so faithfully.

That is truly what we desire most in our sibling relationships: to seek the LORD together. ♥

_________________________________________ This month, KBR is hosting an “Encourage Your Siblings Challenge.” Throughout April, we are posting one article each week by big sisters, who will share encouragement and ideas for how to bless the younger siblings in our lives. We would love to hear your ideas as well – feel free to comment. Feel free to tell your friends about this challenge and encourage them to join you as you “Encourage Your Siblings”! _________________________________________

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