Born for adversity

Nineteen months after I was born, my brother, Jay, came into the world. It’s safe to say that our relationship had its ups and downs. We spent many happy hours swimming, playing, and concocting mischief (it’s a wonder we didn’t burn the house down). On the flip side, my parents endured endless squabbling (He’s on my side!  She’s breathing my air! He’s looking at me! He touched me!), pranks (Jay loved loved loved to scare me), and physical poundings on our way to adulthood.

However, no matter our differences, there was an intrinsic desire to protect each other from whatever threats the world might throw at us. My grandparents told of a time where Jay got in trouble for something and they were reprimanding him.  I apparently told them to “stop talking to my brother that way!” I also remember mutual plots to overcome the evil empire of babysitters – the wig incident comes to mind (sorry, Miss Harbert).

As we grew older and didn’t have the physical proximity needed to continue our sibling feuds, things smoothed out between us, and I was glad. It was the start of getting to know each other all over again. Who knew there was so much to learn?

I’ve watched Jay live a full and beautiful life. It has not always been easy. As with many of us, he has fully experienced “the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.” Through it all, I’ve seen a man clinging to God, growing with God, loving his family, serving his church, doing his best to be a man of integrity in his workplace. Jay has a lovely creative streak that he shares in art, music, and craftsmanship – you haven’t lived until you’ve received a hand-drawn birthday card from him or seen his hand-crafted woodwork.

So today, as Jay celebrates 50 years of God’s goodness, I am thankful. Thankful that he has refused to let hardship define him forever, but is instead taking the lessons learned and looking forward with hope. Thankful that he is pouring the best of himself into Caleb, Sidney, Ethan and Katelyne. Thankful that we survived our fractious youth and made it to this time of friendship. Thankful that I can always know he has my back, and he can always know I have his.

Happy birthday, Jay! I love you.

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. (Proverbs 17:17)