I am at that age where my generation is the oldest at the family gatherings. Sure, there may be one or two left representing my parents’ generation, but not many more than that. It is my generation that is starting to pass away.
The sad thing is, we really don’t have many family reunions. The only time we see family is at a funeral. Everyone is too busy, too distant, or too angry about the past to bother.
I love my brothers and sister and they love me. We are, though, human, with human faults and frailties. We let each other down. We disappoint each other. We don’t always come tough for each other. We are not as close as we could be, or should be.
There is someone, though, who sticks closer than a brother. He will never leave us nor disappoint us. He has no faults or frailties, for He is spirit, not flesh. He understands us, though, because He has suffered every temptation and trial that we will go through. He is by our side in life. He will be by our side in death.
I would give up everything to go back to those days of my childhood when I had no worry and no fear, to just play with my siblings, roll down grassy hills, and stare at clouds in the sky. Since that is impossible, it is comforting to know that Jesus is there for me, with me, like a brother… more than a brother.
Fear Not, for Jesus is closer than a brother.
