A Little Thought....

This morning as I was getting ready for work, I was thinking about being an older sister. I don't know what got me thinking about the topic, but I thought about what that has meant for me in my life and the effect that has had on my younger siblings.

My parents often stressed to me to think carefully about what I did because I had three younger siblings who would look to my example. I had a self-imposed expectation that since life gave me a few extra years than the younger ones that with those extra years came a few more lessons and hopefully more wisdom with which to handle life. If there was strife between a younger sibling and me, it was my job to be the bigger person because I was the older one. I needed to use the greater skills that time and experience had blessed me with...and besides modeling behavior is always the best mode of teaching.

It has been interesting too to watch my younger siblings continue this expectation. When a member of our extended family was talking about a strife she had with a younger sibling of hers, my younger sisters would say, 'But you are the older one, you should take the lead in forgiving.' It may seem unfair to put that burden on a person, or to expect greater maturity due to age...but that is a value that I hold for myself and one I think my siblings have too.

My stream of thoughts led me to realize that this will eventually put expectations on my future eldest nieces and nephews. I wondered if this would be fair to them...and I guess that will depend on them. For me it was a responsibility, but also something that has, and does continue to cause me to stretch to be better. I love my younger siblings deeply, and I want everything about my life to benefit them.

So, with that backdrop of my morning pondering, I read the article on page 62 of April's Ensign. While reading it, the thought really hit home that Christ is our Elder Brother and what that role meant to Him. I can say that the feelings of being an older sibling have been defining and poignant in my life...I can't imagine living with the notion that all of humanity would need and look to my greater experience. What a responsibility. But we are his younger siblings...and no matter what our choices, we always will be. I can only imagine what a driving force and responsibility that must be for him.