I Have a Brother...

I have a brother.  He lives 400 miles west of me.  I don’t get to see him much, nor do we talk that often, but I know he’s there, I know he loves and cares for me, and I know I’d do anything in the world for him.  I’d be by his side if he needed me, I’d defend him if necessary, and I’d take care of his children if something every happened and they need a fatherly figure in their lives.

I have another brother.  He’s an old shipmate of mine.  We served in the Navy together.  We stood the mid watch together.  We shared beers together.  We spent time together when we were in port or at home.  We laughed together, we share a tear together, we watched our children grow up together, and we vowed to be there for one another no matter what.  We promised to look after each other’s family when the other couldn’t.  I love this brother like he’s my own flesh and blood.

I have another brother.  We coached together.  We played ball together.  We cheered for each other’s teams, even when we were on opposite sides of the field.  We’ve watch each other grow throughout the years.  We’ve shared jokes.  We’ve bad-mouthed professional coaches and general managers for making stupid decisions regarding our beloved teams.  I love this brother like he’s my own flesh and blood.

I have another brother.  We pray together.  We meet on Wednesday mornings for a men’s prayer meeting.  We asked about each other’s family.  We talk about accountability as a son, a father, a husband and a brother.  We listen to the pastor’s message together.  We reflect on the Word together.  We slap each other on the back when we’re departing, and we promise to pray for each other throughout the week.  I love this brother like he’s my own flesh and blood.

I have another brother.  We work together.  We greet each other warmly each morning.  We asked how work is going and what we can do to help one another out.  We have meetings together.  We try to solve company problems together.  We rely on each other’s knowledge and business expertise to help us get our tasks accomplished.  We share information with one another.  We seek each other’s advice and trust one another with business matters that should remain within an office confine.  I love this brother like he’s my own flesh and blood.

I have another brother.  I haven’t met him yet, but I consider him a brother nonetheless.  He’s the vet that stands on the street corner with a sign asking for help and blessing me for it.  He’s the stranger on the elevator that looks up from his phone and greets me warmly, wishing me a good day when he reaches his floor.  He’s the criminal that made a horrible mistake and pays for his sins with imprisonment.  He’s the guy in a dead end job who’s working to find the positives.  He’s the man that leaves he’s family every day to earn a wage so he can cloth his children, provide a roof over their head and food on the dinner table.  And he’s the refuge trekking with his family to find safety.  He’s looking for warmth and comfort.  He’s looking for food and shelter.  He’s doing everything within his power to protect his family from the tyranny of religious hatred.  I love this brother like he’s my own flesh and blood…

A Common Man