A sister for a purpose

If you don’t already know, I am second born. I’ve been put under an older brother and placed above 8 younger siblings. That’s right; I’m a sister to 9 people. If that isn’t a load of craziness I don’t know what is! I’ve never really given much thought to it but for the past couple years or so I’ve struggled with what this really means for me. Where is my place? Who am I to be as both a younger sister and an older sister? Who am I to be as a sister period?  Being a sister has to mean more than “Hey I’m a girl and I got myself a sibling!” right?

I know God has given me this place for a reason. But what is it supposed to consist of? What is it to mean? What is the purpose of being a sister?

I’ve ignored what this means for so many years. Infact, I’ve been completely oblivious to it. I’ve never looked at being a sister as meaning something. I’ve never looked at being a sister as having power. And if I have, it’s been in the wrong way. I’ve used it as a way to boss, to control, to challenge, and to discourage. I’ve even used it have personal lil servants. I’ve looked at it as I SHOULD be equal to my older brother and I’m superior to my younger siblings. But is that what God really wants? That may be what the world shows as a sister being, but is that what God says it is?

God has revealed to me the answer to that is no. He has shown me that He has placed me in the lives of my siblings, as both a younger and an older sister, to be used for much greater purpose. To honor Him, and serve them. He has shown me that it is more than just being there to tell them what to do, but to instead help them do what needs to be done. Instead of control them, serve them. Being a sibling is a HUGE opportunity to give of yourself for someone else. An opportunity to serve. ("You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” Galatians 5:13) God made us free. And through that freedom He called us to serve Him and others with love. What better opportunity than to do so with your own siblings? Being a sibling isn’t a way to be served and please ourselves, rather it is to be used as an opportunity to serve our siblings rather than ourselves. “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28. Being a sister, especially an older sister, is more than just bossing your siblings around telling them what messes to clean up, but instead, leading them. Showing them how to serve. Showing them how to clean things up by doing it yourself first and being an example.

Being a sister should be more than just directing your younger siblings around at home, but instead, it should also be a way of pointing the way to God’s love and His glory. Encourage them to strive for a relationship with Christ. Show them through your own life the greatness of being close to the Lord. As an older sibling I know my siblings look up to me. I know they watch me each and everyday. What a perfect opportunity for me to show them the light of the Lord in my life! Instead of showing them how to cause trouble and disobey my parents, shouldn't I be teaching them to love the Lord and to honor my parents?

 

God has shown me it’s more than just being their sister, but also being their friend. Their best friend. Picking them up, encouraging them, enjoying them, spending time with them, and loving them. Being a sister means showing love, and compassion. Showing sensitivity to their hurts. Giving them a hand, or a heart. Listening, opening up, guiding. Being a sister should mean looking up to my older brother and showing him respect and love, not striving to be better than him. As a sister, I should be showing by example what my brothers should be looking for in a wife, not showing them that women are nightmares. As an older sister I should be teaching my sisters what it means to be a lady and what it means to follow after God’s own heart, not competing and arguing with them. Instead of investing in myself, I should be investing in them. Being a sister should mean taking the time to pray with,  pray over, and pray for my siblings.

Being a sister to me no longer means just sharing the same last name and living with a bunch of kids everyday. Instead, it now means investing in their lives. Serving them, helping them, encouraging them, praying for them, leading them. Giving them the gift of friendship. God has called me to something greater. He didn’t intend for me to take being a sister for granted. Or to use it to mistreat my siblings. But instead, to be used for His purpose. For His glory. To advance His kingdom.

 I’ve gone through the years learning it’s not easy being a sister. Both a younger and an older one. I’ve learned it’s not always easy having an older brother who constantly challenges your patience and puts you to the test. Or having 5 yay-who younger brothers constantly pushing me closer to becoming a mad woman. I’ve learned it’s not always easy coming to an agreement with 2 stubborn sisters. Or having the next spot in line to change diapers when mom and dad aren’t around.  I’ve learned whatever difficulty being a sister of 9 can bring. But I’ve also learned through the difficulties what it’s like to have best friends, and cuddle buddies, and hunting partners. I’ve gotten the opportunity to see sweet babies become toddlers. I’ve watched them grow taller and develop personalities. I’ve gotten the opportunity to do makeup and hair with my sisters, and go fishing with my brothers. I’ve been blessed. You can’t tell me there isn’t meaning and purpose in being a sister, because I have learned firsthand that isn’t true.

I know I am FAR from being the sister I need to be. The reason I am writing this is because God has pointed out to me just how far that is. I need God and I need His grace. I need a thousand second chances. I need help, guidance, and prayer. So pray for me. And pray with me! Pray for me to be the person I need to be in my siblings lives and pray for all those other sisters out there. Walk along side me. Take on the purpose of being a sister with me. Challenge yourself to be the sister God wants you to be. The sister your siblings need you to be. See what it is God is calling you to be as a sister. I know being a sister is not to be taken lightly, but to be looked upon as a gift from God. A gift that has purpose. A purpose that needs prayer and guidance and discipline.

I know God made me a sister for a reason. And each day He is gives me an opportunity to strive even closer to what He means for that to be. He is a loving, guiding Father full of second chances and I’m blessed to be loved by Him. I’m so glad He has placed me in this family. I’m so glad He placed me right where He wanted me. I’m so glad He made me a sister.

 “A sister is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost.” Marion C. Garretty

 

The Ultimate Valentine

Valentine’s Day. Some love it. Most hate it. If you're anything like me right now you've probably been dreading the whole thought of it. For most of us it just seems to be a big, huge reminder that your single, lonely, and for some, even broken.

We all think Valentine's Day is a big day for that special someone in our life to show us we mean something. Or to spoil us with candy, flowers, and mushy things. We all want to know we are wanted. We are thought about. We are special enough to receive something from someone. Deep down, even if you deny it, we all want a valentine.

But how many of us end up going through the day without a special someone? Without receiving something? Without feeling wanted? Feeling as if no one out there cares. Like everyone around us is loved, cherished, and wanted? Yet, you aren't?

Well I have news for you. You ARE wanted. You are wanted by your Great Creator. The God that gave you life. The God that yearns to show you His love each and every day. He wants to be your Valentine. Your special someone. He wants to make YOU feel wanted. Feel loved. Feel special. To feel unforgotten.

What are you waiting for? Why spend so much time waiting for someone else to make you feel special when God is waiting right now for the opportunity to sweep you off your feet? He wants the same thing you want. He wants to love and be loved. He wants to show you what true romance and intimacy is. He wants you. To love YOU.

John and Stasi Eldridge wrote in their book "Captivating" that "God delights in revealing himself to those who will seek him with all their hearts. He is an extravagant, abundant Lover, and he loves to reveal his heart to us again and again." Why not let Him? Let him captivate you. Let him show you his love. Seek after Him as well. You won't be disappointed. I know I wasn't.

Just a couple months ago, my heart was broken. I was left to feel unwanted. I struggled through the pain of feeling unloved, unspecial. Like I wasn't good enough to be loved. I hurt, a lot. Every day since they have started talking about Valentine's Day my heart has ached. I've completely dreaded the thought of past memories being brought up. I dreaded being reminded that I'm broken and unloved. I've dreaded being reminded that I'm alone. But God. God! God came to me and said "Let me love you and you won't be lonely. Let me love you and you won't be unwanted. Let me love you and you will be special. Let me love you, and romance you, and show you what it means to truly, and completely be loved. Let me love you and you won't be disappointed." My heart overflows with joy and my face streams with tears because God has done just that for me. I let Him show me His love and I will forever be satisfied. I can't even begin to describe to you the joy that comes from such a love. Let Him show you love!

Why waste our time waiting for flowers and candy and useless toys when God has so much more to offer. “God’s version of flowers and chocolates and candlelight dinners comes in the form of sunsets and falling stars, moonlight on lakes and cricket symphonies; warm wind, swaying trees, lush gardens, and fierce devotions.”(Captivating by John Stasi Eldredge) How’s that for a valentine surprise?Why waste our time searching for a love that may disappoint and fade away? Why not surrender your searching and let God love you? Let Him love you with such a love that will never fade away. That you will never be separated from.

Romans 8:38

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.

His love always remains. It never fails. It never disappoints. It never weakens. It only satisfies.

God brought me LOVE. It picked me up and turned me around. It filled my loneliness with such joy and peace and happiness that I can't possibly search for such a love anywhere else. My tears of sorrow are now tears of joy. I want you to experience the same.

He is waiting for your response. Will you be His valentine?

Ephesians 3:18

And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.

 

Here I am.(philippians 4:11)

Philippians 4:11

Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have.

Here I am. Going through a God-guided journey. A journey learning to be content and patient. A journey learning to serve God fully right where I am.

Here I am. February 2013.

Here I am. Growing in the word of the Lord. This stage in life has given me the opportunity to spend more time in the Word, in prayer, and in service to God. Not only have I been able to spend more time in my daily readings but I've been able to start an in depth study on Revelation by David Jeremiah. I could not be more excited about this. I've never really had the opportunity to go full board into the book of Revelation but I am here, doing just that. David Jeremiah is teaching me so much. God is teaching me so much. Not only teaching me, but preparing me. Preparing me for the future. For His future.


Here I am. Still at home. Learning to fully serve my family better. Learning to help with school, keep a house, and take care of kiddos. Learning to be a mother. I know I have much to learn, but I also know I have a God who continues to guide me, a mother who continues to teach me, and a dad who continues to support me.


Here I am. Learning the art of photography. Photography has really captured my attention. God seems to draw me in more deeply through photos. I just love to capture His beauty :) or capture a memory that is held in my heart forever... I've gotten the chance to start a photography class(at home) and couldn't be more excited to learn all I can from it. I haven't gotten very far due to busyness...but I
can't wait to learn more!

Here I am. Learning to be a coach. What an adventure! This year was the first year in many years I wasn't going to be apart of the game of basketball...but here I am getting the opportunity to help coach! Pretty exciting! But scary at the same time. I've been on the other side for so many years. I've always been the one to learn from the coaches...not be the one doing the teaching!  But I've really enjoyed it. Not sure I'm that great at it..but again, I'm learning! I love to be a part of the game. And working along two great women, and teaching some really amazing girls just so happens to be a HUGE bonus! Can't wait to see what the rest of the season brings :)

Here I am. Depending and relying on God. Life hasn't been the easiest lately. Sickness, and heartache, and brokenness has taken its turn on me. Life has brought trials of confusion, discouragement, loneliness, impatience.... But my God is bigger. My God is stronger. My God has strengthed me, provided me protection, and given me peace. My God has given me contentment. I don't always know what I'm doing, or what my future holds, but I know God is in control. I know He has me right where He wants me. It may not always seem enjoyable, but God has placed me here for a reason. And my purpose is to serve Him right where I am. To honor Him to my fullest.


 Here I am. Content in the hand of God. Learning to wholly depend on Him.