Some things are worth fighting for. Some people, all the more. Just ask my son.
While driving the carpool Friday afternoon, I listened to my eight year old explain to his sister and her friend his strategy for playground defense should the need ever arise. It went something like this:
“If they won’t leave you alone on the playground, here’s what you do. First, you could tell the teacher. Or, you could just ignore them. Or, you could walk away. Or, if that doesn’t work…
you could just find me.”
He was very serious, and I was humored. At least in part. My other part was internally screaming my motherly “hoorahs” for a son who loves his sister, so much so, that he is willing to protect her from the wild and wooly of a playground taunt.
I never knew the protection of an older sibling’s love, so when I witness it between my own children, I am drawn to the magic of their deep bonding. And while they occasionally rival their passions and their wills with all the red and fury of Pamplona’s running of the bulls, their love for one another always exceeds their momentary sparring.
As it should be.
Family love roots deep, and if those with whom we share our homes cannot be trusted to love us, and, therefore, protect us whenever the taunts of the playground mock their insistence, we are left to our solitary efforts at defense. And as defense goes, two is always better than one, especially when one of the two is bigger, stronger, and solely motivated by the sacred trust of family bloodlines.
The prophet Nehemiah understood the value of familial love. He exposed its depth by instructing the Israelites to work in families while repairing the walls of their beloved homeland. He understood that corporate focus would yield greater results than individual determination. The taunts of their playground were very real and very likely to make good on their threats. Single determination wouldn’t be enough to build the second half of Jerusalem’s walls. It would take the family—God’s family—working on behalf of one another and on behalf of a cause deemed worthy of the potential peril involved.
That cause?
The kingdom of God.
“‘Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.’”
Not … fight hard because if you don’t you and your family will die.
Not … fight because you have no other options.
But rather, fight because you’ve got a God worth fighting for—a great and awesome God who is worthy of your walls and your best efforts at protection.
When the Israelites forged ahead in their rebuilding with a hammer in one hand and a sword in the other, they did so knowing that they were fighting for something rather than against something. They were fighting for the preservation of God’s kingdom and for their families’ rightful place therein.
When the playground warfare surfaced, there was no telling the teacher, or ignoring the taunts of their enemies. There was no option of simply walking away from the threats. For walls to be built there must be laborers willing to put their hands and their hearts to the task. Thus, the option remaining for their playground defense (according to an eight year old and according to the prophet Nehemiah) was to find a bigger brother … a bigger sister … a bigger family that was completely and holy motivated by the sacred trust of family bloodlines.
By a love that roots for the life-giving truth that there is a great and awesome God worth preserving and that he is the only worthy gain of our hearts in the end.
Walls will come and go, friends. But God? Well, he remains. And if we’re not willing to fight for the truth of who he IS so that our brothers and sisters, our children and our parents, our neighbors and our friends might live and walk in that truth, then we are forsaking the sacred trust of our family bloodlines.
When we are no longer willing to put our lives on the line for the sake of our families’ salvation, then we have limited the grace of the cross which was never ours to limit. We are tied to Immanuel’s veins. They bled long and wide and high and deep so that you and I could find our rightful place in the kingdom that is now, that is to come, and that is solely within our Savior’s right to give.
When the truth of Calvary becomes the welcome taunt of the playground, telling the teacher (thus abdicating the responsibility to someone else), ignoring the threats, or walking away seeds very little toward kingdom gain. But walking the parameters of the playground with familial love as your anchor?
Well, this is when walls find their framing, families find their strength, and the enemy finds its eventual retreat.
Indeed, some things are worth fighting for. Some people too. One God, all the more. And in case you’re still not convinced, just find my son. He’s got a few things to say in the matter and the faith to back it up. Thus I pray…
Keep us to our walk of faith, Father, both at home and on the playground. Let us not fear the taunts of the enemy, but let us stand firm in the truth of your love for us. You are building us into your everlasting kingdom, where the stones of our brothers and sisters come alongside to build a beautiful witness of your promise and grace. Let us not forsake our voices and our hands in the process. Keep us to our mortar and to your sword until the wall is finished and our family … your family … is safe within its shelter. Amen.
Copyright © February 2009 – Elaine Olsen
PS: Our Spring study on “Esther” launches this evening. I covet your prayers, especially for the eight new additions to our group–that God would grip the soles of their feet and turn them inside out and on fire for the truth of who HE IS! Shalom.
We definitely serve a God worth fighting for especially in light of how He fights for us. Thank you again for words of hope. I had a bad day and night and needed a good word.
Sister, YOU CAN TEACH. This is absolutely worth re-reading and applying.
Love to you and may Esther touch those 8 women’s hearts and be FOREVER changed for the GLORY OF GOD.
Lovingly,
Yolanda
I am praying for your study-continue to pray for ours. We have more names on our sign-up list! YEA!
How ironic you talk about this subject today. On Friday I choose verses to pray over each family member for this week. This time I just opened my Bible to the New Testiment and stated readng highlighted verses and waiting until God laid that person on my mind with a given verse. The verse He laid on my mind for my youngest child states “do not repay evil for evil” and would you not know but my daughter has had to deal with “fighting” amongst classmates this past weekend and yesterday at school!?!? I plan to share that verse with her tonight to help her handle some of the meanness she is facing.
Our lives are way to similiar…you are such a blessing to me!
In His Graces~Pamela
Now HOW did you know this was just what I needed to hear today? Excellent post, Elaine!
Your son is a sweetheart for being so protective of his little sister. They are adorable!
Blessings to you…
Oh my goodness, I just LOVE this! Familial love…the ties that bind us not only to each other, but to a God who truly is worth fighting for!
Blessings on you and yours this day,
Melinda
so sweet…he is going to protect her for a long time to come.
Prayers for your Esther study…
A God worth fighting for! I just loved the playgound analogy with Nehemiah’s story! Elaine,sweet friend,God would do this only through you! Awesome!
I’ll be praying for y’all tonight! And, especially those new sisters! I would so love to be there with you and do this study!
Love ya,
Susan
Your children are just darlin’!
What a precious photo, Elaine!
I am the older of two, as is my husband, and my daughter is the first-born (and only-born!) to my husband and me. So, none of us had the blessing of an older sibling, particularly a protective brother!
But, praise God that “…the LORD loves the just and will not forsake His faithful ones. They will be protected forever …” (Psalm 37:28). He is our first defense!
I have also just begin the Esther study and will be praying for my sisters in NC! 🙂
We obviously were touched by today's post. Blessings as you begin to lead your group in the study of Esther. We know you will, as always, do well and that they will receive the message.
Love,
R&B
I love this lesson. A God worth fighting for truly IS the only motivation we need. Excellent. Praying for your study.
I would have loved a brother like your precious protector! Our God is worthy of all our fight!
“When we are no longer willing to put our lives on the line for the sake of our families’ salvation, then we have limited the grace of the cross which was never ours to limit.” BEAUTIFUL!
We are not a people who choose easily to battle to the death for another – physically or spiritually. Just a few weeks ago here in DC, a man was beaten in front of a grocery on a busy street. No one stopped to help him. Even the people of the van he laid next to, loaded their groceries around him and drove off. I believe that over 160 people passed by this man and not so much as one stopped to help or called 911(everything was caught on a surveillance video).
While this is a physical example, I wonder really what are we willing to lay down to help another. 1 John 3:16 echoes in my mind…”This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.” Can we really love as deeply as Jesus?
Thank you for the battlecry!
Blessings,
Denise
Such a great post, Elaine. I wrote something on this same verse awhile back called “Put Up Your Dukes,” but mine was referring more to fighting for your relationships vs. fighting to lead your family to salvation. I really like where you took this and the precious illustration of your kids. What a sweet memory to store.
I’m pausing right now to pray for your study. It is a powerful one, and I think the icing on the cake for me would’ve been to have you lead it.
Busy bein’ His,
lauralee
One thing I love about your blog is that you always have something new for your readers. You reflect and take time out to share what is on your heart. Your words heal, and encourage us to look inside as well. I loved what you wrote about your son. Such a protective love he has for his sister. He will make a good husband someday, that’s for sure. We need family love these days, we sure do. The enemy is out to break down family walls, and we have to be vigilant and not let the enemy succeed. He won’t stop at anything, and if he has access to the man who sits at the helm and lead him to legislate family breakdown, then all the more do we need to be on our knees, praying for the preservation of the family. Bless you today, Elaine.
Elaine, can I just come and move in with you? I will do your dishes, clean, cook, whatever you need me to do!! I just need your words every day!! Could you just go ahead and write a book already!!!!
You inspire me to keep on, just when I start to feel discouraged. Thank you for giving me that “shot in the arm” that I need.
Prayers for a wonderful Bible Study. I am sure everyone who will be a part will be blessed!
Love ya,
Lori
elaine, what a terrific post. I love the bond that my oldest two have. One that has grown over the past 20 years. You have such a teaching way with words that bring it all together. Thanks so much
“We are tied to Immanuel’s veins.” What a blessing beyond measure to be a part of His bloodline!
How awesome that your son’s priority is what it is. It is beautiful to see even children “fighting” for what is right and important. Thanks for sharing the story and for the reminder that God is ALWAYS worth it.
Elaine, this song was playing in my head as I read your post.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NoIJglsGms&ytsession=-ipBQV-71zY-AGQtuX8uJQ11IhxrLruiwyD8xN0muRO1XOJgjSfnvN6OUU9Xxme_MxshWErZaGYtwCXFW4a2djMpbUxcD33pdSjlsGrZ1i5d_cTrTBUgITIXA3pGqAaCYN0kASEsX6-wjN4JnmejXpWZYowxhkW6SIdVh0JLpfcfRa3GTtUbF7EfPTRwBKXmB4m0OGTsYCLq331wLW4m1F0LcCnuz2AH_gpMnXENNrN5G3dHN-QTSikC3RxKCrO7kG8vgUW4R8o4OmssNzzC7F6kySQQNQgit4913qjidLfwKndd9Sr_XA
(Sorry for the long link. Apparently the video isn't available in Canada. Hope you can see it.)
Praying for your Esther study tonight. Can't wait to hear how God answers.
My Dad had surgery today. It's been a long day. We are home now. Awaiting results and trusting God.
Love, prayers and hugs,
Joy
I love Neh. 9:17b But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love.
Even when we deliberately reject God’s leadership….his aim is forgiveness and love. How often we become proud and stiff-necked ourselves….
Lord make us like you. You are worth fighting for!
Thanks Elaine! I’m chewing on this one!
I think as times get tougher, the whole family of God is going to be looking out for one another even more than ever before. Praise God for family!
Elaine, this was an entire well in the desert! Don’t forget to recharge the fountain:) Praying for all your balls in the air, dear one – you are a force Satan must hate to reckon with!
As Gail W put it “This was an entire well in the desert!”
To look back in my life, I was the bigger family member. I offered my protection to my siblings. They were such evil brats that they turned it around and told my parents that I was causing trouble. I was reprimanded and told that I needed to take care of my family not hurt them. Do you know how much that hurt me? Do you think that stopped me from protecting my family? No. Many years later when my baby sister’s life was threatened I stepped in and told the offender if he even tried he would be very sorry! I was very serious and he saw that. He kept his distance. It took my family a long time to accept me as their protector. I remember my baby sister telling one of her beaus if he or anyone else messed with her she had a big sister to call on… Thank YOU Lord for what YOU do in my life and my friend’s lives. I pray that we surrender to Your will completely. You are our protector. AMEN.
Precious Elaine,
River of flowing words with beauty, depth, strength and encouragement.
My older brother was like that with me. I being the second born and the only girl of 4. In High School the boys would try to mess with me and one inparticular named Ransom –I can still remember his name. He grabbed my bottom under my skirt going up the stair case in between class change. I broke down crying and the teens were laughing. I was in shock that this boy had done that to me. I ran to find my brother who was two class grades over me. I was a freshmen, he was a junior and Ransom was a sophmore.
All I can tell you now is that when my brother got through with him I had no more trouble. I remember one of the things he said to him, “That’s my sister and don’t you ever disrespect her again! She is my sister!!” I want to say that nothing else happen but my brother in fact put a few knocks on him before it was done.
For the next three school years NO ONE bothered me. I was always known as, “that’s Billy’s (the name I call him) sister don’t mess with her!”
Well, I felt like a princess (smile) and let me tell you that every time our LORD tells the devil not to mess with me, I feel special. And when someone tries to say something against my GOD, that’s fighting words for me! He doesn’t need me to defend Him but I’m honored to stand for HIM! Hallelujah!
I am praying for you my sweet friend and God bless your children!! Your daughter is certainly blessed to have such a big brother and I’m sure she knows that.
I love you.
How did it go last night?
That conversation is so sweet!
Love the picture of your two youngest ones! They are just precious! I can’t believe how LONG it’s been since my own children were that small! My oldest will be 32 tomorrow! Yikes! That makes me have to be pretty old myself! Enjoy them while you have them at home! Family is so very important and it sounds like big brother has got that down pat! 🙂
Love ya,
Marilyn
What an incredible teaching Elaine!
Familial love…
I won’t forget this one!
Thanks so much for taking the time to minister to us.
You are so faithful to use your talents.
How did the study go?
Great encouragement for me today. Blessings, Jan
What a precious conversation between your son and daughter. It does a mother’s heart good to hear such sweet talk! Family love and God’s love is most definitely worth fighting for, Elaine. Well said (once again) my friend.
I’m praying for you, Word Chick, daily. God is able to do abundantly above all that we dare to ask, think or imagine.
In the past few weeks, the Lord has shown me his mighty hand at work in the spiritual lives of three of my family members. Requests that I have lovingly called “dusty prayers”… you know the kind that have gone on for 25 years, but when someone asks if you want to pray for a lost loved one… the name is immediately on your lips? And so, I have asked God to not hurry… so that all may be saved…
Yes, the spiritual battle is on. I came across you site and just love it. I linked to my site and am following you. I have raised and released 2 great and godly men into the adult world. I write a daily blog to encourage moms in the fine art of Christian mothering and I have taught a Bible study for MOMS for nearly 20 years now. I do love me some mommas! Click over and link to me if you feel we are like-minded. Blessings as your raise up your flock for the Lord Jesus.
wifeforthejourney:
As an only child, I missed out of having a big brother to look out for me on the playground. Thank you for your creative re-telling of this brother-sister exchange and continuing to encourage us in our faith.
Love you,
Billy
How precious that you heard this conversation between brother and sister. It is wonderful when siblings love one another. And that’s worth fighting for Elaine!