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| Me and My Big Brother |
I had a heart-to-heart conversation with my big brother tonight. My brother and I don't talk often (once every 1- 2 weeks). To some that may seem like a lot, but my sister and I talk at least once a day so going two weeks without talking to him feels like months sometimes. Anyway, even though my brother and I don't talk often, he and I have a very close relationship. Tonight I was having sort of a rough evening, and it is almost as if he knew it. He called me out of the blue to say he was just calling to see how I was doing. It was just what I needed at that moment and he had no idea (sorry for the tears brother).
I love my brother for so many reasons, but one of the things I appreciate about him most is a quality he has that doesn't come easily to me. My brother is pretty much a black-and-white kind of guy. He calls things as he sees them...sees things for what they are. It's either this or it's that. It's yes or no...not maybe. If it's maybe, it is not maybe for long. It's good or bad...no in between (usually). And he doesn't suffer fools lightly. Don't get me wrong, my brother is not a careless, heartless person. In fact, he is very empathetic and caring and has been known to "bend" on his rigidity upon occasion. :-) It's just that when it comes to certain things and certain situations, he uses what I call the "duck analogy": If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, looks like a duck and acts like a duck, then it's a duck.
Me on the other hand, I am always trying to hold out hope that the goodness in people will prevail. I get stuck in the grey areas far too often. With me, oftentimes it's 'maybe' or a reluctant yes or no. It's not good or bad, it's a work in progress. I spend a lot of time in my mind trying to figure things out and it often puts me on the treadmill of pain and confusion.
This difference between us has, at times, caused us both some frustration (probably me more than him), but it works because I accept and love him for who he is and he does the same with me. We just approach situations differently. Sometimes he realizes he should be less rigid and sometimes I realize I need to get out of the grey area. Oftentimes I draw upon his rigidity to help me get through situations. Tonight was one of those nights. At the very end of the conversation, before we hung up, he said, "You'll be ok." "I love you."
The topic of our conversation is not relevant. In fact, after I hung-up the phone with him, all of the thoughts that had contributed to my sullen mood were replaced by thoughts of strong appreciation and love for my brother. More importantly, they were also replaced with thoughts of my relationship with God. I was reminded that I do not have to try to figure things out in my head - it's unproductive and it will drive me crazy. All I have to do is trust that God is working things out for my highest good and know that no matter what, I will be ok! Traci H.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding. -Proverbs 3:5
Me on the other hand, I am always trying to hold out hope that the goodness in people will prevail. I get stuck in the grey areas far too often. With me, oftentimes it's 'maybe' or a reluctant yes or no. It's not good or bad, it's a work in progress. I spend a lot of time in my mind trying to figure things out and it often puts me on the treadmill of pain and confusion.
This difference between us has, at times, caused us both some frustration (probably me more than him), but it works because I accept and love him for who he is and he does the same with me. We just approach situations differently. Sometimes he realizes he should be less rigid and sometimes I realize I need to get out of the grey area. Oftentimes I draw upon his rigidity to help me get through situations. Tonight was one of those nights. At the very end of the conversation, before we hung up, he said, "You'll be ok." "I love you."
The topic of our conversation is not relevant. In fact, after I hung-up the phone with him, all of the thoughts that had contributed to my sullen mood were replaced by thoughts of strong appreciation and love for my brother. More importantly, they were also replaced with thoughts of my relationship with God. I was reminded that I do not have to try to figure things out in my head - it's unproductive and it will drive me crazy. All I have to do is trust that God is working things out for my highest good and know that no matter what, I will be ok! Traci H.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding. -Proverbs 3:5
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