My brother is a cool guy.

July 1st, 2006

My brother is a cool dude. Now, you may not believe this, but it has taken me a long time to get to a place where I can say that. And it may not seem as though saying he’s a cool guy is a big deal, but it is. At least for me.

My brother and I have enjoyed what can only be described as a minimalist relationship. We have been adults for years now, and we’ve perfected the “see each other only once or twice a year” dance. And I am ashamed to confess that until recently I have been a willing partner in our special little tango.

See, here’s how it’s played out (maybe this will sound familiar)…

I live my life according to a collection of values and convictions. These values and convictions shape who I am as a person. And at the heart of these values and convictions is a relationship with God.

My brother, on the other hand, lives his life according to a different set of values and convictions. We are in every way the definition of polar opposites.

So my thought has been this…”we can’t really have much of a relationship until he comes around. At least a little. We just don’t have anything in common. And besides, some of the things he values are pretty offensive to me. If he would just see things the way I do a relationship would be much more viable.”

Wow. It hurts my eyes to even see those words in print.

What I’m learning is that my brother matters. And that he is a beautiful creation. Today. Right now. The truth is that he is sullying much of that beauty because of some choices he is making. And I believe God wants to see the beauty in him reclaimed. But the truth also is that it won’t happen if he is surrounded by people who are arrogantly waiting for him to “come around.” That’s not good enough.

So I made a decision. To let him know he matters. To me. To God. He needs to hear it. I need to say it.

Maybe if I spend less time waiting on people to come around, and more time encouraging them to reclaim their God given beauty, perhaps a life or two would be changed. I know mine was.

Gotta go. I need to talk to my brother.