They are Watching Me!
I have been an aunt since July of 1995, when my eldest niece was born. Back then, I had no clue what being an aunt meant.
I spent the first thirteen years of my niece’s life treating her like a little sister. Look back I can remember fussing and fighting with her, all while demanding respect in return. At the time I couldn’t figure out why she treated me the way she did. Why didn’t she see me as an authority figure? I would plead my case to my mother and older sister, and every time they responded the same: I was acting as immature as she was. This frustrated me to know end.
In 2005, my second niece was born. I really wanted my relationship with her to be different. I wanted her to see me as an authority figure. Over a year later, when my mom married my stepdad I gained a nephew, and then a while later another niece. I so wanted to be the “cool” aunt, so I spent a lot of time trying to win all four of them over. I bought them the birthday and Christmas presents they wanted. And I’m ashamed to say I even took my oldest niece to see a few R rated movies; because at the time, I thought that was the “cool” thing to do.
Then something amazing happened. I was saved. When I began living for Christ he opened my eyes to the truth of what being an aunt really meant. I no longer desired to fight with my oldest niece. I didn’t want to watch R rated movies much less take my teenage niece to see them. God has given me the opportunity to be in these children’s lives for a reason. I wanted to be a good role model for all four of them. A few years ago, Christ opened the door for me to write and illustrate Christian themed stories for children and adults. I got the chance to share these stories with my six year old niece. Each time she spends the night with me, she asks for me to read her the stories. It is the most humbling feelings in the world. God is using me to reach her. I pray he does the same for my nephew and youngest niece as well.
As an aunt, they are watching me! Do I show them the world or do I show them the love of Christ?
Luke 17:2 (KJV) It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.
LC Green
I spent the first thirteen years of my niece’s life treating her like a little sister. Look back I can remember fussing and fighting with her, all while demanding respect in return. At the time I couldn’t figure out why she treated me the way she did. Why didn’t she see me as an authority figure? I would plead my case to my mother and older sister, and every time they responded the same: I was acting as immature as she was. This frustrated me to know end.
In 2005, my second niece was born. I really wanted my relationship with her to be different. I wanted her to see me as an authority figure. Over a year later, when my mom married my stepdad I gained a nephew, and then a while later another niece. I so wanted to be the “cool” aunt, so I spent a lot of time trying to win all four of them over. I bought them the birthday and Christmas presents they wanted. And I’m ashamed to say I even took my oldest niece to see a few R rated movies; because at the time, I thought that was the “cool” thing to do.
Then something amazing happened. I was saved. When I began living for Christ he opened my eyes to the truth of what being an aunt really meant. I no longer desired to fight with my oldest niece. I didn’t want to watch R rated movies much less take my teenage niece to see them. God has given me the opportunity to be in these children’s lives for a reason. I wanted to be a good role model for all four of them. A few years ago, Christ opened the door for me to write and illustrate Christian themed stories for children and adults. I got the chance to share these stories with my six year old niece. Each time she spends the night with me, she asks for me to read her the stories. It is the most humbling feelings in the world. God is using me to reach her. I pray he does the same for my nephew and youngest niece as well.
As an aunt, they are watching me! Do I show them the world or do I show them the love of Christ?
Luke 17:2 (KJV) It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.
LC Green