Sibling rivals

The other day I saw a picture of twins having coffee. They ordered a double, double. Ha, ha I wanted to say that. Seriously, they were wearing the same clothes by accident. I guess twins think alike. I also know that they are nothing a like on the inside. One is conservative while the other is liberal. I bet one likes chocolate while the other hates it. Why? I thought twins were the same? Only in appearance I guess.

            I know in my own family that us brothers are quite different. We each have different lives. I find it strange that we grew up in the same environment, but we turned out so different. One likes fish and another hates Italian. In hockey one likes the Montreal team while I like the Flames of Calgary. Politically, philosophy, and many other things we are different. Same parents but different outcome.

            I see it in many of the friends I have. They all say that the siblings are so different. You would think food, drink, or politically we would have something in common. Why not? Family dinners are always strained. I have a hard-enough time with visiting. It seems odd. They are family. Short and sweet visits is all we get. A little chit chat and then home we go. It’s like family are close but miles apart.

            Is it because it’s personal? They know us too well. Should we like them no matter what just because they are family? We share memories and feelings about our pets. We both love the parents. Yet, siblings remember their childhood differently. One parent always favors one child. Why? I know for a fact that family diners are split in two or three rooms. Never the three shall meet. Even within family there are clicks and groups. I just find it odd.

            What does God have to say. In terms of making us, God says we are uniquely made in Psalm 139:14. Each one of us are individuals. That makes the case for what we see. Twins that are so different inside. Each one of us are made for a purpose that’s different than our other family members.

There is a story in the book of Genesis of two twin boys. Esau and Jacob were vastly different. One was a momma’s boy and the other a man’s man. In the womb the Bible says two nations were born. These boys had a falling out. You would think in the Bible we would find peace and harmony. Actually, that is the one thing we really never see. There was always fighting, murder, rape, and problems within family. Nations fought against nations.

The Bible is merely pointing out how to get along. Yet, in the Bible story that rarely happened. In many ways the Bible instructs us on what not to do. Yet, it also tells us how to live together. It’s just that throughout history we tend to not get along. King David had trouble. Abraham had trouble. So, did Moses. Jesus asks us to play fair, but we still, to this day, hate that.

            It’s not rocket science to see that siblings are different. I guess God made us that way. God really asks one thing from us. Respect the other individual. If we all did that one thing, then life would be simpler. Who cares if their different, yet we do. Who cares what they think, yet we do. Maybe we could embrace the differences like God does. Maybe we could take advantage of the things others do well, like God does. Possibly we should look at our siblings and family differently than we do. In the meantime, take out your sibling for a double, double and chat.

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