Brothers and Sisters: Introduction
Brett and I are very excited to announce a new series of posts by Sarah, Stephen, and Grace Mally, sibling co-authors of the book Making Brothers and Sisters Best Friends, who kindly took some time out of their busy schedule to write several posts specifically for our readers here on The Rebelution. We are so glad they did.
“Sarah, I am trying to apply God’s ways to my life,” a young lady told me recently, a bright smile on her face. We talked for several minutes as she enthusiastically shared what the Lord was doing in her life.
Yet suddenly her smile faded into a look of distress, and with frustration she explained, “But Sarah, the hardest thing for me, the very hardest thing, is getting along with my younger sister.” As I tried to give her a few ideas about how she might be able to improve this relationship, she repeated emphatically that it was just so hard.
It is hard. In fact, many young people say that getting along with their siblings is one of the hardest things for them to do. But as rebelutionaries, our goal cannot simply be to “get along” or “survive” with our brothers and sisters, but rather to make them our closest friends.
It doesn’t take long to realize, however, that this isn’t going to be easy. The only way to succeed in these relationships, is by being willing to do hard things. Below are three of the most important—yet very hardest—things to do.
- Part 1: Saying “I Was Wrong” by Sarah
- Part 2: Respond Correctly to Irritations by Grace
- Part 3: Let Someone Else Win by Stephen
Over the course of this three-part series, my siblings and I will be taking a closer look at each of these “hard things.” We hope you’ll join us.
Be sure to check back on Monday for the first installment of the the new series, Brothers and Sisters. While you wait check out Sarah, Stephen, and Grace’s ministry website: www.brothersandsisters.net
July 1st, 2006 at 10:22 pm
Yay Mallys!
I haven’t read much by Sarah since the King’s Daughter ended!
July 1st, 2006 at 10:24 pm
My family actually went through “Making brothers and sisters best friends” together in the mornings. It was great and had quite the impact on my family. We were amazed at the wisdom these siblings had; they were so mature!! We also laughed heartily on “Stephen’s section”, especially his “definitions”. They were an entertaining way to learn important truths.
I’m looking forward to these next posts!
July 3rd, 2006 at 2:20 am
I’ve been waiting for this post. :o)
Thanks Stephen, Sarah and Grace for contributing. Also, thanks Alex and Brett for featuring them.
July 3rd, 2006 at 4:11 am
Great! How fun to see these familiar faces.
I’ve met the Mallys and spent some time around them. (Sarah, you might remember me…I’m a friend of Angela G. who has a BrightLights group in Ohio) I love their brother-sister material, and they’re a wonderful example of sweet sibling relationships!
July 3rd, 2006 at 2:33 pm
I’m looking forward to reading the posts in this series. I was able to meet Grace a few years ago, and I saw Sarah just recently, and was able to get a copy of her new book, “Before You Meet Prince Charming”, which looks like it will be as good as thier previous book.
Good choice!
October 6th, 2006 at 7:17 am
I really enjoyed this post… it really hit home with me…i am almost 18 and I have 3 little brothers, one older sister and one little sister…
i needed to read this…
December 21st, 2006 at 8:44 am
Very good!
February 26th, 2007 at 3:52 pm
I read Sarah’s ”Before you meet Prince Charming”, very good!! I can’t wait to read the rest of these posts.
In Him,
Kelsey
March 22nd, 2007 at 4:19 am
I too, have gone through this book with my 4 daughters and we all have found your book to be a source of help with the “sibling situations” that arise at our house on a daily basis!
Thank you
December 8th, 2007 at 11:59 pm
Well… I am about to read this even though I don’t really want to but I’m pretty sure God wants me to. So there’s nothing else I can say until after I read the next three posts.
July 9th, 2008 at 8:28 am
GREAT!! You guy’s ( and girls) rock. I come from a large family and know exactly what you are talking about.
God Bless,
wes
July 21st, 2008 at 5:51 pm
I was really excited to see the Mallys blog posts about brothers and sisters. I had read “Before You Meet Prince Charming” by Sarah Mally (which was a great blessing in helping me fully understanding what Christ wanted me to do NOW with my time instead constantly day-dreaming about my future spouse). After reading I was eager for more resources, so at a recent homeschool conference my mom purchased for our family the book “Making Brothers and Sisters Best Friends.”
I can’t wait to start reading! Thanks guys! You writings truly are a God-sent gift. Don’t stop!
In Christ,
Kayla
July 25th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
good. You guys keep up the good work!!! And God Bless!
September 6th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
I would have to say that when I was younger I had some hard times with my siblings, but as I got older, I got to know how to love them with a deeper love then I could ever know. For one reason its bc I learned how to read, and the word of God showed me so much about love. praise the Lord.
But also being second born of 12, with number 13 on the way. I will tell you, living with 12 siblings is the most coolest thing in the world, and I can’t wait for number 13 to get here. I could not believe what my life would be like if I did not have any of them. It has gotten to the point that if anyone would ever hurt or beat up any of them. Oh boy Lord help that person.
Hehe and since my mom had 6 boys before she had any girls, Lord help any boy that mess with my sisters hearts. Without my Dads permission.
September 16th, 2008 at 10:06 am
That is right on. I am 16 and the oldest of nine. Six rough and tumble brothers and three sweet sisters with one on the way. I completely echo what you are saying. I have had my fair share of problems with my siblings but when push comes to shove we are an unbreakable team. This is the kind of family unity lacking in our generation. We must make them our closest friends as this article states, not our rivals as is the case in so many families today. Keep up the good work!
September 21st, 2008 at 11:26 am
I have your book and i love it! (Making Brothers and Sisters Best Friends)
September 29th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
For all young girls: You need to read Sarah Mally’s book “Before you meet Prince Charming” It is a absolutley wonderful book and has helped me so much!
For all brothers and sisters: Read “Making Brothers and Sisters Best Friends”. It is great book! Convicting, but great. And Stephen is soo funny!
God bless!
Sarah.
October 30th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
yea baby were reading there book right now. you guys just keep on keep en on
November 5th, 2008 at 6:08 pm
This is good stuff. One of my brothers and myself read Making Brothers and Sisters Best Friends, (by the Mallys) and my other siblings are going to as well pretty soon.
Although I can’t say I follow everything to the letter, because contrary to popular beleif, I am not perfect(HA HA HA!), this book does really help, and I am looking forward to what is going to be coming from this blog!
December 3rd, 2008 at 9:13 am
I have watched the movie, making brothers and sisters best friends, I am trying to apply it to my own life, but it is kinda hard with 3 brothers 12 and under!
December 3rd, 2008 at 11:32 am
oh yeah, god is with me so “nothing is impossable!” (ha ha)
March 3rd, 2009 at 10:45 pm
I love my sister! Worldy teens assume that once they reach a certain age, they can just stop liking their siblings and parents. WRONG!! God wants us to love them! Ask God to show you how to show random acts of kindness to your sibs and parents today!
April 7th, 2009 at 12:03 pm
I have read the book and it does help when you have an 11 year old sister and a 4 year old brother AND a 4 year old sister! It isn’t easy but sooo worth it!
April 20th, 2009 at 7:42 am
i have read the book and i thank you guys for it. however i would like to make some amends with my older brother, whom i don’t see much. we don’t get along to well(alright we don’t get along at all. ) got any suggestions?
July 29th, 2009 at 5:57 pm
I’ve been reading the book and there’s a lot of wisdom in it. I’m working on getting along better with my siblings, and although there are times when I feel like throwing the book against the wall, I’d say the Lord is helping me and I’m doing alright.
That stuff about meekness really is difficult, its really hard not to think “if I’m humble about this, they’ll think they can just push me around” especially as the oldest. You guys were right when you said how important it is to remember that God is in control.
August 26th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
Thanks soooo much for putting this post up!!! We read through the Making Brothers and Sisters Best Friends and we loved it!! It helps when conflicts rise up to remember to love one another and to treat others like we would ourselves. Keep posting!
September 20th, 2009 at 1:34 pm
yeah, this really is the hardest thing ever. But remembering that I need to do hard things really encourages me to be kind.
October 19th, 2009 at 4:37 am
Hi, Thank you so much for these posts. I’m sure they’ll help alot siblings go a long way!