Brotherly (and Sisterly) Love

Bear with me y’all. I still have many days where I miss my brothers and sister like crazy.

When Linda passed, I thought my heart would break not just because she was my sister, but she loved me so much and showed it in so many ways. Then, within a few months, my big brother Larry passed, and my mind was filled (and still is) with how much he loved his little sis Pete (as he called me). He would call just to check in on me in the big ole city of Nashville. Then just this past December, my brother Jimmie went on to heaven to join the others. We stayed in touch over the years through FaceTime and it was awesome. He was my growing up buddy and friend. He loved me like a brother and made me laugh so many times (even over serious things). We went through a lot together.

I tell you all this; to help you see how fragile life is and how important it is to let others know you love them and want the best for them. I tell my remaining sister this all the time. Sondra is in a Nursing Home, but she will always know her little sister loves her no matter the circumstances.

The scripture tells us to have love for others like you would for a brother or sister. This shows me, He has put significant importance on loving those siblings. Loving them may not always be “pretty”. And, because of personalities, it may be messy and a little chaotic at times. But allow the beauty in those relationships to develop.

God asks us an important question. If we don’t love someone we have seen, how can we say we love God who we haven’t seen?

1 John 4:20-21 ERV

If we say we love God but hate any of our brothers or sisters in his family, we are liars. If we don't love someone we have seen, how can we love God? We have never even seen him. [21] God gave us this command: If we love God, we must also love each other as brothers and sisters. #paulaandthebible #helpforyourdailywalk