3 Brothers
[No photos were taken during this specific encounter]
Finally! A laundry mat. They are so joyous. After hand washing laundry in odd places (buckets, basins, sinks without stoppers, plastic bags) and air drying them, sometimes you just miss throwing them in a machine and walking away.
My Brother Kent and I had just finished switching the load of washed clothes into the dryer (found dryer sheets too!) and planned to meet up with our sisters at a coffee shop. At the entrance of the coffee shop, we came across one man. He was simply sitting on the corner, and Kent waved at him.
He waved back politely, so we walked over and started to chat a little bit. He said he was working in a little shop around the corner, but did not have a home. He was super friendly and it was just a cool conversation. Looking at his swollen legs, we asked if we could pray for him before we left. He agreed and covered Him with prayers for blessings, health, and healing.
By the time we finished, another man had walked up. He said “Hey! This is my Brother, glad to meet you” with a slight accent. He had a cross tattooed on his arm with marker and pronounced “I am a Christian also.” Moments later, a third Brother came up and the conversation was on! The third Brother was slightly under the influence , but would always repeat “These are my Brothers! These are my Brothers! I love them! They love me, pray for us!”
As we talked more and more the third Brother began to weep and kiss the first brother on the head. They had been living on the streets for years while taking care of one another. Sacrificing for eachother & protecting one another. The third brother continued to bawl while gripping his brother tightly almost as if to rip his clothing. He began to speak about how his Father died when he was a little boy. But he loves His brothers.
So here we were. Two foreign men kneeling on the street with 3 other Malaysian men while one man was crying deeply. I imagine it would be quite an unusual scene to see from the outside looking in. But from the inside looking out, it made perfect sense. Many people continued to walk by and stare.We sat and prayed, and listened, and prayed and listened more, and prayed some more for our Brothers. They never asked for anything else…
I miss my Brothers. In such a humbling moment, God taught me the power of listening, obedience, having my eyes open, and seeing people where they are without worrying about what others are thinking.
So how do we act when we see our brothers and sisters in need? Do we come alongside them in their trouble and or do we simply dismiss them & go about our “busy” day? How do we share the love of Christ? And do we remember why he laid down His life?
1 John 3:16-17 ” By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for Brothers. But if anyone has the worlds goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?”
Heavenly Father, I pray that we would know love. That we would keep our eyes open and hearts open to share your love. That we would go out daily to spread your goodness and continue to press into what it truly means to abide in unconditional love. That we would walk alongside others not only during the good times, but in the bad times as well. We pray for our Brothers and Sisters that are hurting right now Lord. That are in pain, weeping, struggling, battling tough times in their lives lord. I pray that they would have the strength to conquer all obstacles that have been placed in their lives and for joy to flood into their hearts. That any emptiness would be filled by your love. Let the healing begin. In Jesus name.
Amen
