Boat Builder

We grew up with dusty gravel roads, towering rows of corn and the serenade of tree frogs filling the fresh air.  Morning dawned with bawling calves and the fragrant scent of lilacs below my bedroom window.  My best friend was my little brother (he had no choice since I was the boss) but that friendship didn’t last long.  If you entered my life mid-story it might be difficult to believe we could have any kind of relationship today.

We made our own fun on the farm in those days, and our imaginations knew no end.  A random collection of wood sat abandoned alongside the hen house. Decaying planks and shingles well-weathered, twisted and cracked – a bunch of junk to the untrained eye.  Johnny wanted to build a boat, and I could help.  But there was a challenge.  We were not allowed to use nails.  Or screws.  Or saws.  So basically, we had a bunch of planks.

Day after day, for hours on end, my brother sorted and planned and figured how we could make a boat.  He did not give up.  If that pile remained there today I’m convinced he might still be working on it.  His perseverance is phenomenal.

Time marched on and we grew as children do. One of us became a miserable teenage girl.  The other suffered through it.  To say that I treated my brother horribly would be a great understatement.  Using the excuse of his geekiness (a legitimate claim at the time) I ignored him at best and consistently disowned him in front of my friends.  I cringe at the thought of it.  John returned my harsh treatment with kindness, time and time again, and persevered in his quest to maintain a relationship with me.

Now, we have families of our own and I moved around the corner to live closer to him.  Who would have thought?  We have a rock-solid connection and I am forever thankful.  My brother taught me the value of relationships, not to give up and to persevere.

He taught me forgiveness.  My past offenses have no part in our relationship today because he has chosen to forgive me.  We’ve moved on.

Are you holding on to an offense from the past?  Is it affecting a relationship?  Listen, sister I find myself trapped on this side of the fence sometimes too.  Holding grudges for transgressions long past. We have to let go.  Forgive.  Move on.  After all, isn’t that what we desire from others?

John is a great example of Christ’s love for me.  God’s forgiveness means that my offense is wiped away and my relationship is restored.  What a gift!

I thank God for my brother, John, who has taught me many things in life, and it all started with building a boat.
♥ Tess

Matthew 6:14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.