It is amazing how much siblings can argue and fight one minute and cuddle up or play a game with each other the next minute. Sometimes it can be frustrating but it is just a part of life. We have a family rule that if they get in a “collision” with each other, they need to work it out and not retaliate. One day I was watching the boys play. They were in our lower livingroom and I was in our loft. I had a birdseye view of their situation. They were unaware that I was there but nevertheless, I saw everything. They were playing peacefully until KJ noticed that Karson had a Lego person that KJ wanted. He started to throw a fit about it but Karson, being a peacemaker, gave it to him. He was having fun playing and they were building some cool stuff together so he just gave it up without a fight! They played happily for another five minutes and Karson built another really cool Lego person and KJ then wanted that one too. This time Karson was beginning to get upset. He argued about it and finally just gave in and gave this one to him too. KJ had an heir mentality and believed that he was older and that he had been here longer and had the “right” to whatever was in the box. Some more time passed. During that time I watched KJ build some pretty cool Lego men but he kept looking over to see what Karson was building. He seemed distracted, almost like he wasn’t enjoying all the cool things that he was creating. Finally, Karson built another person and KJ being empowered by the last two acquisitions, just grabbed the Lego guy straight out of Karson’s hands. I could hear frustration in Karson’s voice and his whole body began to withdraw. He was using his words but KJ was not listening. After all, he is the older brother and they were his Lego’s first. In total frustration, Karson reached back clenched his fist and popped KJ in the arm. I probably should have jumped in before this but honestly I was just so proud of how Karson was handling the conflict. I stepped back behind a bookcase as they ran up the stairs to report what happened. You can imagine how KJ reported it, “Karson HITTTTTT MEEEEEE!!!!!!” I sat and listened to both of their stories with FULL KNOWLEDGE of what actually occurred. The Bible says that the first report is often the one that is believed (Proverbs 18:17). Knowing that scripture has helped me know that the first report is usually someone covering their sin J I let them tell their long winded tearful stories already knowing what my decision was. They actually were both wrong. KJ was wrong for being jealous, bossy and mean. If he had just been excited about all the cool Legos that God helped him find and build and wasn’t always comparing his to Karson’s he would have had a better time playing. And Karson did handle it well right until the last seconds, when decided to retaliate on his own behalf. I explained to them that I had SEEN IT ALL. Amazing how quickly the stories changed.
Have you ever been in a conflict that you wish someone would have been there to witness…well someone was there…God himself…in the balcony…hearing…and seeing it ALL!!!! Trust Him to be your defender and the lifter of your head! He loves you, He see’s everything that is going on, He has heard EVERY conversation and will defend you if you do not hit back!
Proverbs 18:17 AMP He who states his case first seems right, until his rival comes and cross-examines him.
Matthew 10:26 AMP So have no fear of them; for nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, or kept secret that will not become known.