How often do the kids in your family fight? Every day? Twice a day? Sixteen times a day? Have you lost track of the number of times you have yelled at or have thrown something at them?
You’re not alone, you know. Jacob and Esau fought. Joseph really made his brothers mad. The first two brothers in the history of the world, well, that didn’t end well either. Cain was so jealous of his brother Abel that he attacked and killed him.
That’s when the heavenly Father intervened, “The Lord asked Cain, ‘Where is your brother Abel?’ ‘I don’t know,’ he answered. ‘Am I supposed to take care of my brother?’” (Genesis 4:9).
The answer was yes. He was supposed to take care of Abel. You’re supposed to take care of your siblings too. That’s why God put them in your family. Listen to the apostle Paul who tells you to “be devoted to each other like a loving family. Excel in showing respect for each other” (Romans 12:10).
When you are devoted to your family, you love each other most. You don’t put each other down in front of your friends to look cool. Instead, you defend them and say nice things about them.
You are your brother’s and sister’s keeper.
Dear heavenly Father, you put together our family the way you wanted it to be. Forgive me when I forget that these are the people you want me to protect and care about. Help me be devoted to this family, the same way my brother Jesus was devoted to me. Amen.
