Sister Act!

1 John 3:16
This is how we know what love is:  Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.  And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.

When my daughter, Sarah, first tells us they are expecting a baby girl at the end of April this year, we are elated!  What could be better than having another grandchild to love on?  Honestly, I can't think of anything grander than that!

But, I have concerns about first child and first grandchild, Virginia Rose.  She is the undisputed princess in the Orlando and Kennedy family courts.  Love is lavished upon her freely, and undivided attention toward her rules the day.  Recalling how jealous my son, Daniel, was when I brought his sister home, I worry that Virginia could experience those same sentiments.  Not a pretty picture . . .

So, we begin working on her early.  I order a book which explains all about mama bringing a baby brother or sister into the world, and what the older sibling can expect.  Virginia is, thankfully, enthralled by the whole process, and me and her mom to read the book repeatedly.  We reinforce, too, Virginia's role as the "Big Sister," someone who can aptly assist her mom and dad in caring for the new baby.  She loves to help around the house already, so this is something which really appeals to her.

I'm still skeptical, though.  It is one thing to talk about all these amazing changes about to unfold when little sister is growing in mommy's tummy, but it could be a totally different story when baby actually arrives.  How will Virginia react, I wonder?  Will she be just as excited and joyful in having a sister for real as she is in the anticipation of her birth?  Or, will she be resentful of the attention which was once fully hers, but is now being deflected upon this new and needy, eating, crying, burping, but blessed, mess?

I recall Jesus' admonition to us not to worry (Matthew 6:25), and I hold fast to His promise.  That trust and faith reaps incomparable rewards.

Virginia Rose loves her sister, Savannah Jane, more than I could ever have hoped for or imagined.  She is adamantly protective, actively engaged in entertaining her, and demonstrates toward her sister such unconditional love.

Watching Virginia interact with Savannah brings and entirely new meaning to the scripture at this post's beginning.  I see a child willing to lay down her life, all her interests and needs and wants, in order to serve her sister.  I witness a heart brimming with love and selflessness.

I witness a life filled with the Spirit of the Lord.

It is my prayer that I should live my life so selflessly . . .

~

How have the actions of a child brought you closer to the Kingdom of Heaven?

Prayer:  Thank You, Father, for sending Your Son, Jesus, who laid down His life for us to pay the price for our sins.  Let us, in turn, know what true love is:  Being willing to lay down our own lives for the sake of our brothers and sisters.  No, Lord, it isn't easy, but it is right.  Help us to always do what is pleasing in Your sight.  In the name of Jesus, we pray.  Amen.