There
is no other more complicated role in the family unit than that of siblinghood. When
you were young, maybe your relationship with a sister (brother or cousin) was all
right, but a bit insecure at times. [i]
As
a youngster, possibly you wished you could sale your sibling to someone so
they’d leave you alone. (What would someone pay for them?) Did this poem
express your feelings for your sibling (during your childhood)?[ii]
One sister for sale!
One sister for sale!
One crying and spying young sister for sale!
I’m really not kidding.
So who’ll start the bidding?
Do I hear a dollar, a nickel, [or] a penny?
Oh, isn’t there, isn’t there, isn’t there any
One kid who will this old sister for sale,
The dynamics of a sibling relationship often changes
to a positive friendship when they no longer live under the same roof, and
start their own careers (and families). Siblings
are the ones that best understand the family dynamics (that have made up who we
are).
Some siblings once they grow up are not the
best of friends. Long-held bitterness towards each other (for whatever the
reason) has caused an atmosphere of toxic bitterness between.
”Bitterness
plants itself in your heart like a poisonous weed, taking up the same space
that could otherwise be home to beauty and color.
Hurts
that at one time would have been fairly easy to pull up have now spread their
root systems into other areas of your life, sprouting up as anger, touchiness, and
loss of interest in spiritual things. It pollutes. It festers…
The
chief problem is not what darkness does to you, as dark and destructive as it
can be. The main issue is that bitterness is an offense against Almighty God.
It reflects a heart of gratitude toward His grace and blessing.
It
reveals us as someone who has quit trusting Him to know what we need, even if
what we need is a season of hardship that drives us closer to Him. Bitterness
robs us of our willingness to walk with Him.”[iv]
The
scripture provides this insight about bitterness ruining our closest
relationships. “Keep a sharp eye
out for weeds of bitter discontent. A thistle or two gone to seed can ruin a
whole garden in no time.”[v]
Remember
this mantra: “I
can alter my life by altering my attitude of mind.”[vi]
 |
| Illustration to above poem |
[i]
The title of this post refers to a parent’s offspring resembling one (or both
of them).
[ii]
Notice the new blog motto.
[iii]
Adapted from the poem, “For Sale,” taken from Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein
[iv]
“Day 244: Love uproots bitterness,” The
Love Dare Day by Day by the Kendrick brothers
[v]
Hebrews 12:15, MSG
[vi]
From “Joy” chapter, from Apples of Gold (Compiled
by Jo Petty)
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