The Messy Middle

where grace and truth reside

  • About
  • Books
  • Blog
  • Speaking

Faith, Family, Relationships

The fine line between negotiating and bickering

Sibling rivalry

There is fine line between sibling negotiation and bickering. As I drove the two to piano lessons, I wasn’t sure which side we were on.

The interaction involved who would go first, first being the coveted position. After a heated discussion over who went first last time, I asked why being first was so desirable. This was a blatant attempt to divert and diffuse because I thought I knew the answer. Clearly this was one of those things in life to get behind you so that you could read or play games (no hidden scarring for me in this one, folks, no sir-y. Or maybe just a little bit).

Because whoever goes first gets to spend a bit more time with Mrs. Hammer.

They were jockeying to go first simply to spend a few more precious minutes with Mrs. Hammer. It had nothing to do with piano, it had to do with the person. I wondered if she knew that she was fought over out of love, that being with her was so highly valued.

Paul wrote to the Ephesians about living their lives in such a way that it was a fragrant offering.

The car that day was fragrant because of a woman who invests in children in such a way they will fight over her.

Am I living in such a way that people want to get their interactions with me out of the way? Or are there secret fights to be with me because I am offering my life up fragrantly?

Who would you fight over to be around?

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Email

Related

«
»

4 Comments May 10, 2016

About Amy

My name is Amy and I live in the messy middle of life. I have been Redeemed from permanent muck and live with the tension of the Already and Not Yet.

Comments

  1. Jody Collins says

    May 10, 2016 at 4:13 pm

    “Who would you fight over to be around?” oooooohhhh, that;s a convicting question.

    Reply
    • Amy says

      May 10, 2016 at 9:31 pm

      I know :). Quite convicting to me :)!!!

      Reply
  2. Mike says

    May 11, 2016 at 9:37 am

    This question has an easy answer: the love of my life, my wonderful wife!

    But is it cheating to change the question to “Who would you want to spend time with above all others?” Sorry, but I would prefer not fighting with anyone at this point in my life. :-)

    Reply
    • Amy says

      May 11, 2016 at 2:44 pm

      Touche! :) (you are good at bringing a smile to the face, Mike!)

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Meet Amy Young

My name is Amy and I live in the messy middle of life. I have been Redeemed from permanent muck and live with the tension of the Already and Not Yet. Read More…

Social

  • View themessymiddle’s profile on Facebook
  • View the_amy_young’s profile on Twitter
  • View amy_young1234’s profile on Instagram
  • View messymiddleamy’s profile on Pinterest
ADD TO FEED READER | CONTACT

welcome, here we

Don't have to choose between extremes. You can embrace life's Messy Middle.

recent posts

  • Becoming More Fruitful is published :)
  • Summer Reading Challenge 2022 is Finished
  • You’re invited to a launch party!
  • Summer Reading Challenge 2022 is here!
  • Top 14 Books of 2021
  • What my book group read in 2021

Archives

meet amy young

My name is Amy and I live in the messy middle of life. I have been Redeemed from permanent muck and live with the tension of the Already and Not Yet. Read More…

explore

  • About
  • Books
  • Blog
  • Speaking

get updates

Copyright © 2023 Amy Young · Customized by A Sacred Journey

{This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Learn more.}