During the circuit breaker, God challenged me to reflect on how I had been treating not only my sister, but also my parents.

Being around our family members a lot more, it’s easy to annoy one another. Even when we are close to our siblings, they can still get on our nerves. But somehow, God can use these experiences to teach us lessons.

One night, while I was having quiet time with God, He spoke to me.

As I read 1 John, God reminded me about the ultimate act of love – Jesus willingly laid down His life for our sins on the Cross.

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.” (1 John 3:16)

God also brought another passage from Mark to mind.

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)

Even as our Lord, Jesus didn’t hesitate to serve. Before going to the Cross, He humbly took on the role of a servant to wash the feet of his disciples out of love (John 13:1-17).

He wrapped a towel around his waist, filled a basin with water and began to wash his disciples’ feet – a humble act that had such significance as the custom back then was for servants to wash the feet of strangers before they entered the house.

Jesus went on to say in John 13:15:

“I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”

To be Jesus’ disciple is to follow his example to serve others. This is love in action.

Personally, I’ve tried to do this in a few ways.

1. PRACTISE PATIENCE TOWARDS REQUESTS

Recently, my parents received a call from my grandfather. He was trying to figure out how to use the QR code scanner on his smartphone because he couldn’t get it to work when he left home.

As I was the one who taught him how to use it a few weeks ago, they passed the phone to me, in hopes that I could explain.  At one point, my sister commented on how I sounded rude.

It would have been so easy for me to give up, or give in to the temptation of getting angry, but I kept reminding myself that it wasn’t my grandfather’s fault – I just needed to be more patient in teaching him.

Thanks be to God, the call ended with him understanding and solving the problem. He thanked me for my help too.

When our family members ask for our help, let’s be willing to lend them a hand. We can choose to see it as a way we can glorify God through serving others, rather than as a disruption to what we were doing.

2. TAKE THE INITIATIVE TO MEET A NEED

One morning, God prompted me to help with some of the household chores as everyone else was busy.

Later, I wanted to inform my family that I had done the chores that morning, but I realised that there were plenty of times when my family would do the same and not say a word. They weren’t looking for compliments – they were just doing it to help.

If you have free time, use it wisely by helping out around at home. Make your family members a snack or a drink, offer words of encouragement for their work, or maybe wash the dishes.

Don’t do it for their praise. God sees all that you do.

3. START A CONVERSATION 

When I decided to make a point to ask my parents on how their day went, they told me about simple things, such as something that my mum learned from the work she did.

It made me more aware of how I could be close with someone, but never know what’s really on their mind if I didn’t care to ask. 

After a few months passed, my family and friends started posing the same question to me each time we got to talk. I realised that the feeling of knowing that someone is looking out for you can really be heartwarming!

If you’re having a meal together, why not take the opportunity to ask them how they’re doing? You could make someone feel loved.

I want to encourage all of us to serve our family with a loving and willing heart, especially during this ongoing pandemic. Remember that when we serve them, we’re also serving the Lord.