Psalm 133:1 “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! ² It is like the precious ointment upon the head..” KJV

On Aug 3 of the new millennium, my first born child, Chauncey will officially be 18,  As an adult he’s now capable of voting in the 2020 election and every one thereafter, sue or be sued, open a bank account in his name, serve on a jury, get a tattoo (which I hope not), see any film in the movie theatre, get married (again which I hope not) and so many other conditions.  My son can do this all legally without the need for parental consent because the state laws have deemed him as chronologically capable due to his coming of age.  As I told him to brush his teeth before going to bed, as repeatedly done for years, he replied, “Mom I’m a man now, no offense, but I don’t have to listen to you anymore. “

Oh yeah? After 17 plus years of feeding, nursing, guiding, disciplining, admonishing, loving and protecting him -I no longer have a say.  He does inventory on me of all the things he feels that he is now entitled to- like hanging out later with his friends, being on his cell or computer past midnight and not being told what he needs to do anymore.  For a sec I was thrown off.  All my feelings rushed in a moment like this-happy me said he is absolutely right, my job is over I’m free, anxious me said Oh no he didn’t to oh no you won’t, emotional me said pass a tissue where did all the time go and where do we go from here. Then…

“Oh yes you do have to listen!  God said so”, my daughter quickly chimed in from her bedroom next door.  Feebly attempting to quote Exodus 20:12, Chailynn paraphases the scripture that states to “ Honor your father and mother so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.”.It’s a fact that God has given parents a  biblical provision since Old Testament times that lasts through death that even man made laws cannot overrule. In that I ended up smiling.

Before I can answer ‘the baby of the family”’s, “Right mom?” question; my son proceeds to tell her to mind her business. Just as scheduled, for more times than not, they continue to go back and forth until one of them gets bored of the match.

My daughter who turned 17 July 26^th thoroughly enjoys mutual teasing her brother to practically torment. But she takes extra pleasure in taunting him during the one full week they are the exact same age in years.  This time annually, we celebrate their very close birthdays.  In my heart I’m thankfully praising God for his favor on them one more year-growing in health, stature and (coughing) wisdom.  Then my daughter’s mocking will break those sentiments with,  “Hey ugly how old are you? And how old am I again? (not waiting for his annoyed look response ,she’ll continue.  “Well since we are both the same age, how is it that you say you are older so I have to listen to you?  Tell me what’s the real difference?” My son in perfected pause throws the knockout normal blow, “Who was born first, moron? Hey dad, isn’t the first born the most important one? Again it’s a rhetorical question which he’ll defend without the necessity of my husband’s fullest reply. With his biblical understanding of scriptures substantiating the firstborn’s blessings he will simply ignore her counterarguments about how they can be stolen. With both feeling they won, its God’s word that’s victorious! Prov 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go. And when he is old he will not depart from it”.

My husband of 20 years and I look at each other impressed with their bible knowledge realizing they grew up in the church that showed them love and affection since they were infants.  God’s words have not been without effect (Isaiah 55:11). Yes my children call each other “loving” names like ugly, stupid and the like that sibling rivalry may conceive.  Still more times over they go shopping, laugh over silly tv or Youtube videos, hug, dance, sing, play basketball, split and share the same headphones, take pleasure in  music from Taylor Swift to Chief Keef, joke over their parents’ music.  They just sincerely enjoy hanging out–together.

Sure there are moments where they would race to me with Chauncey saying (his arm draped on my shoulder reinforcing his height advantage), “Mom do we really need her?”, and she would reply cuddling up under my other arm, “Mom, why do we still have him living with us when you have me?”  Whereas, I would respond hugging them both close to me, “Because dad and I love you so guess it’s the only right thing to keep you with us..for now.” I ensue with cleaning as they walked away unamused with my final answer.

We as the Henderson family delight in these regular fleeting moments of playfully joking with one another.  To the outside world I can imagine these expressions may seem harsh and rude.  On the contrary, it is a part of our loving family dynamic of how we show our mutual affection and strong bonds for each other.   We are reminded of God’s loving affection on us and how He loves us as his children by living harmoniously with one another as brothers and sisters.

Concern: Sister, is your life sparkling? Great.  Challenging you mow to take it higher and have a blast with your brothers and sisters in God’s kingdom of believers? Take your fellowship life higher by getting closer and knowing one another more deeply. 1 Pet 4:8 Love one another deeply.

Encouragement: Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.

Act:  Jesus spent most of his spiritual walk with his disciples -his family. Mark 3:35 “Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.” Feel lonely?  Set up hang out times with someone today.  Go to a free summer concert, take a group boatride on the river, enjoy a destination vacation together, or go out to pray by water.  Winter, fall or spring there is always something you can do even if its just hanging out in one another’s homes to eat and watch a movie. Show hospitality. Take a chore and have someone join you or join them-Grocery shopping, laundry, taking your dog to the park. Bump it up by bringing a friend you are introducing Christ to. We all need to feel and share in the love of God. It feels a lot like heaven!

Henderson siblings. Dedicating post to them. Happy Birthday to my babes! Love mom.