Brotherly Love

Some of the saddest stories in the Bible have to do with brothers.  Sibling rivalry reared its ugly head early on after the creation of man and woman.  Sin entered the world and hatred and jealousy quickly became rampant within the family.  Genesis 4 tells the story of two brothers, Cain and Abel.  Cain became jealous of Abel.  He became angry and because of that anger, he killed his brother, Abel.  Other stories throughout the scriptures tell the same kinds of stories.

I didn't grow up with boys.  I had just one sister - six years younger than me.  I thought it would have been wonderful to have a brother!  I often teased my sister that I wanted her to be a boy (even after she was older!)  So, for me, watching my boys from birth to now has been a totally new and fun experience!

I want my boys, and my one girl, to love each other.  I want them to care for each other and care about each other.  I want them to be friends now, but to also grow up and remain friends.  That's why pictures like these showing our children working together are so special to me.  It also helps to realize that there really are these special times, if it's a day when they seem like they are all aggravating each other!

As I sat and watched Tyler (9) and Zachary (almost 15) water the pumpkin patch a few weeks ago, I was so thankful I had grabbed my camera!  Tyler would let Zachary show him exactly how to water and then he would do it himself.  Zachary was being patient with Tyler....on that particular day, anyway!

When the Lord asked Cain where Abel was, Cain replied, "Am I my brother's keeper?"  The the Lord pointed out Cain's sin of killing his brother.

In a Christian family - both a physical family and a spiritual family - we are our brother's keeper.  We're our sister's keeper.  We watch out for one another.  We help one another.  We serve one another.  We love one another. 

Brotherly love between my boys makes me smile.  It makes my heart melt. It makes me happy.  The brotherly love we are to have with our brothers and sisters in Christ makes God smile. It's showing the love to others that Jesus showed by His example.  Brotherly love glorifies God.

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

Romans 12:10-11 (NIV)

Let brotherly love continue.

Hebrews 13:1 (NKJV)