Third day of Lent - Siblings

 

Siblings by Paul Klee- Credit: Wikioo

Yet each man kills the thing he loves
By each let this be heard.
Some do it with a bitter look,
Some with a flattering word.
The coward does it with a kiss,
The brave man with a sword!

Ballard from Reding Gaol by Oscar Wilde.

Like the screaming open mouths of chicks in the nest, siblings are aware they may have to compete for resources. The relationship is not with the sibling primarily.  It is with the parent.  When parents can reassure that everything is safe and fine, the need to compete reduces, and siblings can actually become good friends.  As with all loving relationship, we mature from "You cut and I choose" to I actually want the best for you.  

The bible is full of different kinds of sibling relationships.  I love that between Mary, Martha and Lazarus, But the bible starts with tragic jealousy.  Cain saw perfection in his brother's relationship with the Creator.  He had been selfish, and the boiled over into a murder he must have immediately regrated. Actions have consequences....and the Creator calmed Cain's worries, and continued to protect him.

13 Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is more than I can bear. 14 Today you are driving me from the land, and I will be hidden from your presence; I will be a restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.” Genesis 4

PRAYER: I love you to the point where my survival does not matter as much as loving you.