Skip to main content

That's Me in the Middle


The Middle Child

Even though you’re not the oldest, Or the youngest, you see,
Being in the middle of a sandwich is the most important part,
And in the middle of your body,
you will find your heart.
The engine in the middle
is what runs a good machine;
And your family wouldn't be the same
without you in between.

Author Unknown

I’m not convinced that there is any place in the family birth order that is ideal. Firstborns seem competitive and driven-to-succeed, perfectionists. Seconds are independent and adventurous and rebellious. Middle children are the forgotten ones, the peacemakers and usually opposite of the firstborns. The babies are risk takers, idealists and immature. Birth order is fun to read about, but the truth for me is that every one of us is given the same recipe to succeed in life, despite hang-ups or hindrances, if we believe what the Bible says about us.

I kicked the birth order doctrine right in the pants when I turned 8 years old. Financially, we were strapped and Mom decided to get a job to help Dad. I was the one they chose to wake up at 5:00 a.m. every morning and pack my Dad a lunch and make him a hot breakfast while my older sister and brother slept in. All three of us went to school. Now the new order of things was that the middle child became the responsible one.

What a blessing it was to have that time with my Dad! I still can smell his clean shaven face with splashes of “Old Spice!” He would kneel at the kitchen table and say his prayers with head bowed low. He first talked to God and then me second, every morning. This memory is a treasure especially as I grow older.

God is no respecter of persons. Whatever place we are in birth wise, we are all God’s favorites!

This post links to these blog parties: Tell Me a Story and On Your Heart Tuesday both on my side bar.

Comments

  1. DeniseMarch 28, 2012 at 1:39 AM

    Sweet post my friend.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Diane RonzinoMarch 28, 2012 at 2:31 AM

    I love your attitude and that you didn't resent being the one to get up with your Dad. Look how God blessed you - you were able to witness something none of your siblings did, and you have these wonderful memories.

    Precious post!

    ReplyDelete
  3. RCUBEsMarch 28, 2012 at 7:58 AM

    That is awesome that you didn't even complain! And what a wonderful time you had with your father...I'm pretty sure lots of wisdom was shared between you and him.

    My father's fav was Old Spice, too! It smells so good...

    God bless sister!

    ReplyDelete
  4. a joyful noiseMarch 28, 2012 at 10:05 AM

    Thank you for sharing your True Story at “Tell Me A True Story” At http://letmetelluastory.blogspot.com/

    I was the oldest child and was given more responsibility. That was a good thing for me and eventually I cam out of my shell.

    I love your story that you were the chosen one to serve your Dad. You are right that no matter where you are in the birth line of sequence that you and God can be a success in life.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Deborah AnnMarch 28, 2012 at 3:12 PM

    So true! I'm second from last in a family of nine. God is working tremendously in ALL of us! He is no respector of persons - or lineage!!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Crown of BeautyMarch 29, 2012 at 3:30 AM

    What a precious opportunity you have been given as the middle child to prepare you dad's breakfast and lunch.

    What lovely memories warm your heart.

    I loved this story, Mary.

    Thanks for sharing it.

    Love
    Lidia

    ReplyDelete
  7. Nikki (Sarah)March 29, 2012 at 4:39 AM

    I believe that we are all God's favorite. Love the way you said this. And knowing that truth helps me see people in a differently

    ReplyDelete
  8. Joyful in His PresenceMarch 29, 2012 at 7:21 AM

    What a precious post, Mary. I was the oldest in birth order...and your description fits me...but I, like you, am so glad that God is not a respecter of persons...that we each and every one of His children are of equal importance to Him.

    So glad you have those wonderful memories of those early morning hours with your dad. And your mom was such a beautiful lady!

    Hugs to you, Mary.

    ReplyDelete
  9. NancyMarch 29, 2012 at 8:17 AM

    I am a middle child too and the responsible one as well.....I didn't appreciate it at the time but now I look back and know it was because they could trust me that they gave me added responsibility...

    I love the way you worded this post.....so refreshing and heartfelt....

    ReplyDelete
  10. Debbie PetrasApril 1, 2012 at 7:38 PM

    You were so cute Mary! I am a middle child too. However, I wasn't the typical middle child as I had a congenital heart defect. I was always different and got lots of attention. However, I didn't like that attention.

    Thanks for sharing your family memories.

    blessings and love,
    Debbie

    ReplyDelete
  11. SharonApril 2, 2012 at 1:59 PM

    I'm a first-born...and I have to agree with the perfectionist definition.

    (By the way, your little girl picture is adorable!)

    What a wonderful time you had with your dad, and what a sweet spirit you had to serve him without resenting it. Such a testimony to your lovely heart.

    And yes, in the Body of Christ, there is no birth order - I'm just forever grateful that we were given the chance to be born again!!

    GOD BLESS!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

My Mom Fought the U.S. Post Office and Won

My mom embarrassed me years ago when she called our small town post office and complained about slow package delivery.   I gave the eulogy at mom ’ s memorial service, and I told the mortifying story at the chapel. Respectful laughter filled the room.  However, embarrassment doesn ’ t bother you when you ’ re dead in the grave and maybe that ’ s the lesson here today. Mom loved to send packages to me in Arizona.  She often mailed pencils, recipe clippings, bars of soap, cereal, odds and ends that were meaningful to her.  Mom never understood that her mailings to a hick town in the west take a heck of a lot longer than it does in Chicago.  I got umpteen phone calls from her before any shipment arrived and she would ask impatiently:  “ Did you get my package yet? ” It was about six years ago when retrieving my mail, Toni, my favorite clerk shouted to me across the room from the front desk, “Your mother called me yesterday.   She...
25 comments
Read more

A Memorial Day Reflection

  Memorial Day is always noteworthy for me and my girls.  Next Thursday marks the third year of missing their father, my husband. So many thoughts  run through my mind.  The journey of loss takes on various emotions.  The strongest feeling, at first, was emptiness.  In a split second, I would forget he departed forever.  I imagined things I needed to talk to him about when he got back home.  My mind is realistic now.  He's not coming back.  There will be no more times of sitting on the porch swing together on the front deck staring at the moon and the stars.  He would tell me all he knew about the majestic night sky. I have so much I wish I could tell him, like the excitement of seeing our oldest grandchild make a decision to follow Jesus and get baptized on Mother's Day!  And our little Amy, 11 years old, I wish he could have seen her on stage receiving her induction to the National Honor Society. Our daughters have their own ...
22 comments
Read more

A Veteran's Story

  I noticed Bill sitting in our local park where I walk.   He glanced my way just as I finished the last exercise walk song on my playlist.   He shouted and pointed to my car:   “Hey, is that your car with the Nam front license plate?   I stepped closer into the veranda where Bill sat on a picnic bench.   I noticed his Vietnam Vet cap and instantly I knew why I walked there that day.   The Marine Vet served during the 1960’s, the same time span as my husband.   Bill talked a lot about the war evoking my emotions from laughter to tears.   My South Vietnam front plate often prompts a conversation with a stranger and I’ve learned a deep respect for it over the years.   It is my way of listening to a veteran.   I enjoyed listening to Bill.   He made me laugh in spots but he made me cry as well.   Like when he talked about the sandwich lady.   “Do you ever eat at the sandwich shop in the gas station down the street...
26 comments
Read more