Brothers become friends

My two oldest sons are completely different. They look different, act different and are talented in different ways. They are just a little over 2 years apart. If I were to share old home videos with you, you would laugh at the way they used to play. Nick loved his little brother. Scout was in awe (and still is) of his older brother. It was so sweet. As they grew older, and Scout began to follow Nick a little less often, the rivalry began to grow. We had a few years of pure torture in trying to get them to get along. The angry voices, the disrespect for each other, the physical fights…yep, we’ve been there. For years, my prayer would be, “God…fill their hearts with love for each other”. Sometimes I would pray, “Lord, bind them together in a way that only you can, that they see a gift from you in their brother”. I would sit and wait for God to work….and wait……and wait. All the while, we were playing referee!

Peace of mind makes the body healthy, but jealousy is like a cancer; Proverbs 14:30

Now, unfolding before us is a good thing. Sometimes, conversation between the two of them….not started or encouraged by me or Kevin. I’ve even caught Nick paying Scout a compliment and receiving one in return. Though it’s not perfect….we are seeing them grow older and closer. Thank you Jesus!

If you are in the season of fighting siblings…do not despair!!! It is just a season. Not one you need to ignore – but one you will get through. The encouragement I can offer you is to never allow them to be hurtful or rude. There were times we would let them go at it physically. That may be too much for some of you, but if you have all boys, you understand that there is no other way sometimes. Especially if one keeps asking for it! We’ve seen that too. Anyway, I’m trying to say, we have less of that now and more of what I always thought was ideal.

You are not a bad parent if your kids fight. You are a good mom or dad when you sometimes allow them to work out situations among themselves. (with coaching from you of course) But, God cares about this and can offer you peace when you feel like crying because you feel your kids don’t love each other. How do I know? Because he has done that for me, over and over. It’s as old as the Bible. Remember Cain and Able? Be encouraged – and know that as your kids grow, so will their love and even like for each other. And when it gets to be too much….just lock them outside…after all…you are paying the bills!

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is when children live together in unity!
Psalm 133:1