Inspired by My Baby Brother

My youngest brother challenges and inspires me to deeper things.

He's gone through a lot lately - had to give up music for a season (which is his passion and what he's studying in school) in order to physically heal from an injury to his wrist, and some other things. And through it all he's sought to find God, fought for peace and patience.

Then, the last couple of days he's gone through some personal and relational stuff. Nothing I can write details about, but he's been quite hurt by someone. If it were me, I'd probably hate the person, and encourage everyone I know to be equally hateful and mean. Instead, he's opted to ease out of the relationship for a season, but has asked my other brother and I to continue to build relationships, to care for and mentor this person who has hurt him so badly.

I was thinking about that on the train this morning. He asked me last night to continue to build relationship with this person, and I take the train with him on Tuesdays for the first half of our respective commutes. We chatted a bit about it and about some other things, and after I left him and continued on my way to work I was thinking about his response. We both care deeply about people, but when push comes to shove, my brother manages to model for me a far less judgemental and loving attitude in the face of tension than I have managed.

And so, today I've been challenged to be accepting in how I see and treat people that have hurt me. Do I write them off, or do I continue to wish the best for them, to want to see them continue to develop as people and as followers of Christ?

Backwards

Loving this song by Kendall Payne today... Particularly the chorus.

Backwards
You can’t go backwards you must go forward
You have not been what you could be
When you are the only one who enslaves you
Then you’re the only one who can set you free

Don’t run away, question the answers
Live your life like it’s on fire
You’re one mistake is to think that you’ve made one
Don’t run away

You can’t have mountains without the valleys
You can’t go high if you won’t go deep
You can’t do over what you’ve done already
Expecting something new to see
I will not be bought, will not be caged
Won’t stay behind my walls where it is safe
No I’m tired of trying to compensate for you
For you…