John 14:15

If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

John 14:15 (ESV)

Growing up being the older sibling can sometimes be very difficult. On one hand you have parents who are learning to raise a child at each new stage. "At what age will we let you have a sleepover? When is it okay for you to go to the mall with your friends without an adult? What is your curfew in high school?" On the other hand you have a sibling that is watching and learning from your every move. "I want to wear make up because you can wear make up! I want to stay up late because you can stay up late! I want to watch that movie because you can watch that movie!" What a tough life us older siblings have..."sigh."
Okay...I'm really over exaggerating but honestly it can be hard sometimes! It's as if you are the guinea pig in all parenting decisions and the constant role model to your younger sibling. Growing up I remember that on either end of it, all I wanted was a little respect. I wanted my parents to respect that I was growing up and that sometimes they needed to loosen the reigns a little bit and I wanted my sister to respect that I was older and had to wait to do things just like she is now. When they gave me this respect, as silly as it sounds, made me feel loved. People often talk about the five love languages: words of affirmation, touch, gifts, kind deeds, and quality time. I always joke that mine is respect, and they forgot to put it on the list. The funny thing about all this is, I never stopped to think about my parents and sisters role in it all. Was I giving them any respect while I was so selfishly thinking I deserved it?
This illustration of my life growing up reminds me so much of this verse. Here are my parent's, just like God, making these rules or "commandments" for my own good. Neither God, nor my parents, ever set these guidelines just to make me miserable. Then there is my sister. Am I demanding respect from God just like I am from my sister when I am so far from deserving it due to my sinful nature? That just might be the case. Finally, myself in this story, feeling loved by the respect I am given. So similar to what God is saying here. I can prove my love to Him by simply giving Him what He has asked.