My Brother

 

I always wanted a brother.  I thought a big brother would be nice, but since I am the oldest child that seemed impossible.  God gave me a beautiful, exquisite, baby sister, but no brother.  I was thrilled to receive my sister, and content to realize this was what God had for me – His best.  

Then about eleven years ago God reminded me nothing is impossible with Him.  He gave me a big brother.  My sister married him.  He became my big brother as he is a year older.  I love him so much.  He knows me and loves me.  He makes me work hard and reach to improve.  He is a friend and family all in one.

My big brother is a doctor and one busy man.  He is a gastroenterologist and might take a look in your stomach with his camera. (Fortunately, he has not looked in mine!)  That kept him busy enough, but when COVID hit, he stepped in and began working with COVID　patients at his hospital.  Not a job most doctors wanted, but he did it, and of course he did it very well. 

Recently, I saw a picture of him beside a helicopter as he flew along to care for a patient in transit.  He looked so handsome and smart.  In case you did not know, I am extremely proud of this magnificent man I get to call brother!  He is a gift from God!

But Lord, It's Really Hot!

 

Where I live in Japan summers are hot, and I do mean hot. That translates to the mid-30s to low 40s Celsius, or mid 90s to low 100s Fahrenheit. That is really uncomfortable, but added to that is humidity, around 60 to 90%.  It can make for some really hot, sticky days.  I find it to be a challenge to be at my best, and in reality easy to be at my worst.  I confess to being very grumpy some days. 

Now to be honest, we have air-conditioning in our central living area, but the rest of the house is dependent on fans and breeze.  We sleep in uncooled bedrooms and of course our outdoor activities are breeze cooled. 

I find it easy to complain about summers as I return from an early morning run or horse riding with my shirt sticking to me, dripping with sweat.  But there is a troublesome verse in the Bible.  Psalm 118:24 says, “This is the day the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it.”  I wish it said, “except really hot days.” But it does not.  That means God made this miserable, hot day, and is waiting for me to rejoice at all He has made.  It is not selective rejoicing.  If God made the day, I am to rejoice in it.  In the whole thing.  I really find that one hard.  I find myself saying, “I can’t rejoice in this.”  Then God speaks to me and reminds me of another verse Philippians 4:13. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” My strength does not cover rejoicing in this heat, but I can do it the strength of Christ.  Since His strength even conquered the grave, I guess it can handle hot days.  So today I rejoice in this day God has made only through the strength of Christ!  Amen!