My brother came to stay with my family recently while he attended training in our city. While I was happy to welcome him, I worried about how we were going to survive three whole weeks under one roof. As adults, my brother and I get along well in short doses, but after a while I inevitably launch into lecturing my brother and attempting to tell him how to live his life. I mean well, but I admit it’s not an endearing quality in me. I prayed that God would help me to be a good hostess and that the weeks would go by passably. My prayers were answered in wonderfully unexpected ways.
My brother quickly blended into our family life, sharing in our nightly dinners and helping out around the house. Each night I’d find him diligently studying at the dining room table while my daughter studied downstairs. We fell into a routine, and I hadn’t picked a fight yet. While this was all well and good, God didn’t stop there.
In the last week of my brother’s training, he had one morning off. He accepted an important job interview for that morning before his final exam that afternoon. We then discovered that the interview was going to be quite lengthy. The timing was so tight that even difficulty parking would make him late for the exam and thus turned away. When we discovered there was no way around this scheduling nightmare, I invited my brother to place it all in God’s hands and let God’s plan come to be.
As it turned out, my brother had a good interview and went on to write his exam on time. (He did exceptionally well on it, too, I must boast!) That night, I asked my brother what I should write about in my next blog post. He answered without hesitation, “How God answered my prayers and stayed with me today.”
This touched my heart very deeply. My brother was a Canadian Forces soldier who fought for our country in Afghanistan. In part as a result of what he experienced during his deployment, going to church is very hard for him. In my brother’s words that night, I was reminded that while he may not be at church every week, my brother still has very real faith, and he is just as much a part of the Body of Christ as any of us who lead more active lives in the Church.
We are all a part of the Body of Christ, and God knows each one of us by name. Never was that made clearer to me than in my brother’s words that night.
your honesty about your part in relationship problems proves the value of the Examen.
“In part as a result of what he experienced during his deployment, going to church is very hard for him.” Could you explain a bit this, please? It will help me to better understand my cousin, a US marine who was in Irak. Thanks.
So glad your visit went well. Life with siblings often brings out the best and worst in us!It is so true that we cannot judge the faith of others by their involvement in church or attendance at mass.We are all on our own individual spiritual journey, which may or may not include mass at this time.
Cara,
Made the 30 day retreat in 2011 after the pastor in my parish asked me to discern about accepting to be the coordinator of pastoral care in the parish. To do that I would have to retire from a position I held and dedicate myself to the ministry. After 30 days of praying and discerning, I answered the Lord’s call to minister for the parish. I have been very happy working for the Lord and His people. There is nothing better than answering His call. My prayers were answered and I am an intentional disciple doing God’s Will.
God truly is Good and will, if we simply let go make miracles when we need them most. Not those ground shaking, burning bush style miracles but those vision clearing, ego draining moments where we can see with new vision and think in a loving and accepting manner with gratitude for what is. Thank you Cara~ family tensions can be hell and can create chaos. I am so glad you got your miracle and today you are part of mine. Fourth of July here in the states ~ big family gathering~ fraught with tension and history~ Handing it all over~ anticipating peace and joy AND gratitude for what is!Kathy
Each person comes to God in a different way because we are all individuals. Thank you for this beautiful affirmation of God’s love and care!
Beautifully expressed, Cara. Your brother is blessed to have you as his sister. God’s desires become ours as we move about in His hands and will. ‘We are all part of the body of Christ.” And congratulations to brother!
Blessings to you and your family. Thank you,Suzanne
This is a beautiful story of God’s love and faithfulness. Thank you, Cara. May God continue to shine brightly on you and your brother.
Thank you for a wonderful post, especially the concluding comments about your brother.