THE BIRTHDAY BOY

Tomorrow is my brother’s birthday. He’ll be 71. He’s not supposed to be here, you know. Several years ago, he was diagnosed with lung cancer and given a short time to live. But God had different plans and this kind and godly man has been granted longevity for the purposes of God. I don’t presume to know what those purposes are but I suspect they are related to the relationships he treasures most. He is a loving, protective, faithful and supportive husband—so unusual today. His daughters will tell you that he’s the best dad who ever lived. The legacy he is leaving for his grandchildren is one of honesty, generosity, forgiveness and a devout love for the Lord.

And as far as I’m concerned, he’s the best brother one could have. When we were kids, he was my defender against bullies in our neighborhood. He taught me how to play baseball, football, basketball, golf, chess, a myriad of card games, archery, fishing—and I’m sure there’s more. But most of all, he taught me how to be there when someone needs you.

Over the years, there has been more than once that I have called him and said, “I need you” and he was on his way. When he arrived, I knew everything would be alright—because my big brother was there.

Several years ago, I asked the Lord to let me live close to my brother and because God does give us the desires of our heart, last August He moved us less than two miles from Charles and Sandra. Now, I get to see him as much as I wish. We can play golf whenever we want. On Friday, he’ll come by my house at 1:00 PM (in his golf cart) and pick me up for an afternoon of golf.

"Lord, thank you for Charles. I thank you for the brother he has been, the example that he is, and the love that we share. Amen."

P.S. "And oh yes, Lord, give me the skill to beat him in golf at least once in my life."