As the first of five children and the only son for some twenty plus years until my little brother came along (don’t ask me how that happened), We came home for vacation and noticed mum was consistently wearing a big shirt, which was unusual, we inquired and it turned out to be that she and dad had been very busy while we were all away studying hard in school.
Anyway, growing up, I noticed that when there was any errand to be run, I was always sent on those errands. The errands seemed to increase in magnitude as I grew older. From arranging our toys after playing (though the girls had most of the toys being that they were more), to walking the dogs. When I started exhibiting tendencies of driving off with the car, came the task of washing the car, then balancing sheets after daily sales. All the while, one question that was constantly on my lips was why me? And my dad never hesitated to say, ‘you are the man of the house’. Truth, it didn’t make any sense at all. My sisters were available and househelps and employees were being paid to do these things but dad kept saying ‘you are the man of the house’.
It all started making sense when dad suffered a stroke while mum was expecting my little brother. Those words ‘YOU ARE THE MAN’, made all the sense in the world at that point. I had to be a father, a mother, a brother, a business man and a student all at the same time. Looking back with hindsight, I was not under pressure it was something I was already doing unknowingly. I remember a few times when my parents would have a misunderstanding, I’d mediate and to my amazement, they’ll heed my counsel and make up. I thank God for seeing me through it all and my dad for helping to mould me even at a young age.
Why am I saying these? Despite your role or position in the family, it is vital to know that you will undergo certain things not for the present but for the future. God might just be preparing you for what is ahead of you. Never you think your parents are partial and seem to favour one or more siblings over you…it’s a training phase. Sometime in the future, you will look back with gratitude to God and your parents for those experiences because then you will realize that they were only meant to mould you into a vessel…fit for the Master’s use.
Remember, God delights in every detail of your life and will make all things work together for your good…that is if you love Him.
Remain Blessed.
