I was thinking this morning....... of Siblings Rivalry

Siblings Rivalry

I was thinking this morning....... about the Venus and Serena Williams sisters rivalry. Last week Saturday, Venus Williams played yet another Wimbledon open final, this time not against her kid sister but against Garbine Muguruza. Oh what an opportunity for her to win her 7th grand slam title. This is so because her younger sister Serena did not participate in the tournament because she is preparing to have a baby in a few weeks.

Since 2008 when Venus last won Serena in a grand slam final, Serena had beaten her elder sister without respect. Both sisters have played 9 grand slam finals and Serena won 7.

Although the rivalry is long established, and is very fierce in competition, the two sisters remain personally very close. I was listening to Venus after beating Johanna Konta at the semi finals talking about Serena and she said, 'I miss her so much. I really wish she was here.' I was like, seriously? If she was there, you can be sure not to have a chance at the trophy. It got me thinking, how are they able to remain so close in spite of this fierce competition?

Think about it, if they are Nigerians, Venus would have called a family meeting and pleaded with the parents to warn her younger sister not to embarrass her at grand slam finals again. 'What have I done to her that she won't allow me win?' I can imagine Venus say. And if they are very spiritual, someone would've warned Venus to stay away from Serena, because Serena is using her glory to shine. They would've argued that how come it is always Serena stopping her from winning another grand slam every time she had the opportunity since 2008. If Venus had won on Saturday, the spiritualist would've said, 'Didn't I tell you, this year that Serena is not here, you have won it. Pray o, pray that God should continue to make Serena pregnant, so that you can win more slams. After all, she has won 23 grand slams already.' they will conclude. Hmm!!!

As I pondered on this exemplary sisters, I reflected on how strong the bond that holds me to my siblings is. Will it hold if any of my sibling continue to have the upper hand at my expense? Think about it, your younger brother and yourself are in the same line of business and bid for same contracts from different companies. If your brother continue to win all the contracts at your expense, how will you feel? Even if you try to be normal, I am sure your spouse will tell you to 'shine your eye' because it is not ordinary. Is it really not ordinary? Some will say it is our way, but should it be? There is something special about Venus Williams, a virtue rarely found in Africans, even though we declare 'blood is thicker than water.'

As I close my thoughts, I was encouraged that I can do better than Venus, as I remembered the admonition of Romans 8:35 'Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?' As we continue this year, let no economic recession weaken your bond with your siblings nor our bond as Nigerians.

Happy Sunday.

.........Just the thoughts of a certain Wey Mey.