I came back to my sister’s house for an 'emergency' call after spending 3 weeks at my parents’ house. She has to go out of town for 9 days for her career-related program. She asked me to look after his 4 years old son, cook for her family, and take care of her household. Her husband is actually still in town, and they have a part-time nanny, but my sister insisted that I have to come to her house. After all, I haven’t had any job yet. Yes, I’m still unemployed, and that is another story. Anyway, so, I took a long journey back here, 11 hours by bus, plus trapped in the seasonal Indonesian Idul Fitri traffic, when in fact I should've just continued my long holiday with my parents instead.
I know it won’t be easy here. My nephew is an attention-seeker, violent-screamer, and rebellious kind of kid at this stage. Not all the time, but most of the time. Sometimes he is cute and nice. Well, I know it wasn’t 100% his fault. I don’t know how his parents had raised him.
His dad, my brother in law, is a workaholic kind of dad. As long as I’m in his house, he will just leave his son with me whenever possible, so he is free to work at home. He is a lecturer. He likes to bring his works home. So, in other words, I'm a substitute player for a mum/nanny/housekeeper.
If I’m lucky, the daily tasks will run smoothly, but that’s a rare case. There’s always a tension time with my nephew, as he tends to rebel against everybody, and seeks attention in a violent way. And the worst part is, every time we tell him about the right thing to do, he will feel offended and hit us. But well, I guess I just have to persevere and find a solution to conquer him (I did manage to conquer him smoothly today :D). Be an example for him is the only way. My nephew is really a piece of work that push my patience off the limit.
Despite of the nephew-related-problem, I love cooking and doing the dishes though. My objection is actually just because I don’t have my freedom anymore. My nephew won’t let me out of his sight. I can’t study, or write my paper if he is not sleeping.
I often think and argue to God.....”But Lord, I don’t have to do this. I had a great and enjoyable life at my parents’ house, full of peace, fun, and I can have my freedom. I can play with my two cute dogs too. I am neither my nephew’s mum nor his housemaid. I am very happy for being single, have no kids, so I don't have to do a housewife jobs yet. And I'm not even thinking of getting married any time soon. So I think I don’t have to go through all of this trouble...or may be “training” as You call it. I should do a better job instead of being a babysitter”. Once again I think....I don’t have to do this. I can just leave and back to my parents’ house. My nephew has his dad and his part-time nanny anyway.
But wait................
What about Jesus? Jesus didn’t have to come down to earth either. He didn’t have to die in the most dishonorable way, crucified. He had a perfect life with Father in heaven. But He came down to earth anyway, took a servant form, and died on the cross for the ransom of my sin and yours. He has shed His precious blood and laid down His life for the sake of human being. While I..., what..., I have neither shed my blood nor laid my life down for my nephew and his family. All I’ve done is just a small thing, and after all they’re my family. I should be just as good as my teacher. If my Teacher taught me to serve, then I should choose to serve and not be served. Ohh well...wel..well.., my ‘internship’ in my sister’s house really teaches me about patience, perseverance, and wisdom.
Thank you Jesus, you have set my perspective back on the right track. Forgive me for my pride.
When was the last time you’re whining about your life? When was the the last time you’re complaining about being unfairly-treated? Look to the cross and be thankful for your life. See it with God’s perspective.
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from the sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. (Hebrew 12:2-4)
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