The Baby of the Family
My mother tried not to laugh
Reference: Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. (Philippians 4:14 NIV)
Explore: My parents tell me of a time when I was a child, when I started to become emotionally removed from my family. I was sullen and downcast and they couldn’t seem to raise my spirits.
My mother finally asked me directly what was wrong. “I don’t like being called ‘the baby’,” I blurted out.
Being the youngest of the family I was always referred to as “the baby”. However, I was now the grand old age of seven and I did not like to be called a baby.
My mother tried not to laugh. Here she thought I was going through a real crisis, yet I was just upset at a silly little name she called me.
She apologised for calling me a baby and explained it was just a term people used to describe the youngest child. But she assured me that she would try her best not to refer to me in such a way.
From then on I was fine. I noticed my mother holding back on calling me “the baby of the family” and having shared my concern helped to get the worry off my chest.
Application: Being called “the baby” is no big deal, but it was significant enough to me. Thankfully my mother took me seriously and showed me that it was important to share your concerns, rather than bottle them up.
Everyone needs someone they can share with. It’s not always easy to make yourself vulnerable, and you certainly have to be discerning to whom you share with, but it really can help.
When I think of the great missionaries of our past, they seem so driven and self-assured. But even they needed people to assist them and to confide in.
We are not alone. And being in a faith community gives us the support that we so often need.
Prayer: Lord, sometimes it feels that no one would truly understand me. Help me to find those who are willing to listen. And help me to be a good listener to those in need. Amen.
What is a concern in your life at the moment that you would benefit from sharing with someone?
This article was written by Linda Bailey
Linda started theological studies in 1999 in Australia. After working for ten years in various church ministries, she now works as the breakfast producer at 89.9 LightFM - the Christian radio station in Melbourne, Australia. She writes blogs every day about passages she is currently reading in the Bible. Follow her on Google Plus +Linda Bailey or Facebook by clicking the like button on the right of this page.