Big Brothers

So last night created some interesting discussion.  Natalie, Ben, Ian, Meghan, Lauren, Zach and I all stayed and got deep after everyone left Natalie's party.  We discussed dating; our definitions, when it's ok to date, when it's better not to, how to handle it, yadayada.. It was really insightful and I pretty much agree with most everything everybody said.  Fun night:) I love hearing the words of wisdom from the people in my class.  Even if I feel inferior sometimes. Haha.


So I was going to hit off of that but I'm a little tired out of the dating topic and pretty much said all I thought about it last night sooo maybe later.

What's been in my head today is actually big brothers. 
Guys, I know that you're going to have fights and disagreements with your sisters sometimes.  I know, first hand, that girls can be really annoying sometimes.  I get annoyed with myself for being girly sometimes, k? I get it. :)
But you may not realize what a huge impact you have on their lives.  They look up to you for what to expect in a guy, for advice, for protection, for an example.  They may act like they don't like you, don't value your opinion.  They may pretend they don't care what you think of them.  But believe me, they care.  You have a power so unlike anyone else in their lives.  Big brothers are supposed to be the ones a girl can go to when no one else will listen, when she doesn't know what to do, when she's scared and hurting.  Some little sisters may not come to you but they watch you.  And some day they will grow up and realize what an influence you had on their lives.  Never underestimate your influence, your power.  They say you can compliment a girl and she may disagree or blow it off but if you insult her, those words will hurt her and haunt her and she will remember them forever.  And that's pretty much true.  She may not let on but if you tell her she looks pretty, it means the world.  If you tell her she's annoying or whatever, it cuts her deeply and hurts your relationship. 

I'm not saying you can never be open and honest with how you feel but be gentle with her, guys.  She's not perfect and even if she pretends to be the Queen of Shiba, she knows she's messed up, she knows she's made mistakes, she gets it.  Every girl should be treated with respect and love.  There are many that don't deserve it but we all know that we deserve to die and yet, here we are.  We have been shown grace, and we should show grace to others. 

*pause*  SISTERS:
That includes you. You need to show respect for your big brothers; they are an authority figure in your lives.  Especially if they are in tune with what God has to say and they are Christ-focused they are your superior (whether you like it or not...). 
Guys are supposed to be MEN.  And they are told that they are to have no emotion, be big be bold be proud. Bla bla bla.  But you can hurt them.  They're not some impenetrable fortress with no emotion and no feelings.  They conceal them a lot and put on a brave face but they are human too.  Love your big brothers, girls.  There are a million girls on the planet who would kill to have an older brother looking out for them.  And for the girls who don't have a good relationship with their older brothers: I am very sorry. 

Back to the guys:
It's easy to get so involved in other things that you don't have time for your family, or just don't want to take the time.  But it means the world if you try.  Sometimes girls act indifferent or snobby but if you make an effort to spend time with them or go out of your way to say something nice, it stews in their minds and they'll think about that for a long time and eventually it may soften them. 

And I'm a realist.  Actually more often a pessimist.  So I'm very aware that relationships are broken all around the world.  Some brothers hate their sisters and ignore them, hurt them, etc.  Some sisters antagonize their brothers and beat them down.  But every relationship is worth working for.  Even if nothing comes of it for years, siblings have an unbreakable bond that no one else can truly understand.  It's between you and your sibling.  But it's worth fighting for. 

So that's my rant for the day. :)
<3