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Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Mourns the Loss of Elizabeth Edwards: "Susan G. Komen for the Cure® expresses condolences to the family and associates of our long-time friend and ally Elizabeth Edwards, who passed away today following her long battle with breast cancer. Her passing reminds us that while we have come a long way in our fight to discover and deliver the cures to cancer, we still have a

long way to go, especially in the case of metastatic disease."

Like A Warm Cup of Coffee

Teaching Older Children To Be Encouragers, Not Second Parents: "

My son clearly has the choke hold down

I’ve been sending my quintessential first born five year old daughter mixed messages.

“Honey, you are not the mommy, you are the big sister. I need you to let me be mommy and you be an encourager.” 10 minutes later I will say, “Honey, can you please go check on your brother and make sure he’s not getting into anything.”

Mixed message.

Why don’t I want my daughter to play mommy to her siblings? Two main reasons, 1. she is not the mommy and should not have that responsibility, and 2. it will more than likely cause conflict and/or resentment in the relationship with her siblings. I want my children to have the freedom to love each other and encourager one another in grace, forgiveness, kindness, and truth. In fact, I want them to be best friends (or at the very least, be at peace with one another). If I allow my children to be second parent, my goal for their relationship will be seriously hindered.

I am finding that this truth crosses right on over to my brothers and sisters in Christ.

Our father is God, and He loves, corrects, guides, molds, disciplines, and instructs. He is the parent.

I am the child.

The sibling.

The encourager.

Now right about some of you (just like me) are saying, “well aren’t we supposed to speak truth to our brothers and sisters if they are doing something wrong?”

Hesitantly yes. After watching this and reading this I want to be very careful in how I walk that sensitive ground.

In the meantime, I’m going to head in this direction:

“By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35

“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8

“So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.” Romans 14:19

“Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day’s out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ’s law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived.” Galatians 6:1-3 The Message

How do you teach your children to be siblings and not second parents? How do you think we should translate that into how we treat each other?

Recommended Resource: Making Brothers and Sisters Best Friends

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