Brothers

The brothers no longer match this 1944 photo. There's a big difference in hairlines, height, weight -- both in body and years. From 1945 to 1982, they were separated, living with different families. The memory of the youngest brother dimmed to vagueness associated with a time before the two older ones were taken, then adopted by another family.

Yet, were you to sit with these three today, you would recognize them as being the boys in the photo by several tiny things that have not changed.

I would love to make a biblical connection here -- the main thing that applies is that there are consistencies over time. The greatest of these is God's love and His will in our lives. But -- you know that.

So, I'll remain focused on these brothers and the families they have built and raised. For all the reasons they could give -- broken homes, abandonment, hardships, separation -- that others have given for personal failures, these have not failed.

They love their Lord, serving Him in a variety of ways at three different churches, differing denominations, yet all acknowledging their salvation is through God's grace.

They love their wives. They have each been married once, building on the life-long commitment they made in front of God and their witnesses.

They love their children. Each had three children, though one child died at age five -- tearing at the very soul of his parents. The remaining eight have married and presented grandchildren, even great-grandchildren for these brothers to love.

How do I know all of this? That middle brother is my Beloved Husband. I have witnessed this family both apart and together. I am grateful for their presence, and I request your prayers for this extended family as physical problems are being faced. Thank you for your prayer support.