Thursday, December 15, 2016

Brothers who erase our mistakes

Today my 4 year old son and I were playing down stairs and I quickly stopped when I saw something out of the corner of my eye. I spotted something on the side of our brick fireplace that is usually unseen unless at the right angle. I see " JUNE     CONNOR     HANSEN " written in chalk on three bricks all in a row. 

We had just had a BIG lesson learned 2 weeks ago when we found that June had been writing on her walls in her room and closet. She had to clean her walls and understand that we DON'T WRITE ON ANYTHING but PAPER! For heaven sakes, she's 6 and learned this when she was 2! I don't know what's gotten into her recently! Being in school this past year she has learned to write more and more and obviously can't contain her excitement long enough to grab a piece of paper. (sigh...)

I looked at the brick and asked Connor (who can't write), what happened here?
He said softly with his head down, "June wote our names on the wall."
At that moment, my phone started to ding upstairs. I turned and started walking up the stairs and I said aloud, "somebody's in trouble." I grabbed my phone and came back down to June's crime scene.


As I walked down the steps, I looked at Connor who was still looking at the brick, but instead of the frown I left, was a bright smile. I turned the corner and looked at the scene. He had quickly wiped as much of the chalk off the brick as he could, erasing most of the the evidence that convicted his sister. The mistake was still visible but 80% of the error was corrected.
I was overcome as tears started to fill my eyes. What a sweet brother helping his sister erase her mistakes. 

My mind was taken in thought of my older brother Jesus, who has helped me erase many of my mistakes. I have gone to Him for help, guidance and added strength in hard times. He doesn't judge me; He teaches me, heals me, and lifts me up. There will always be a small mark left behind from past mistakes. They are a reminder of how merciful He is, and an admonition to try to never make that mistake again.

He has ALWAYS been there for me, to help me dig myself out of the hole I've made. 
He has helped heal my heart, feed my soul and erase my mistakes with His grace. 
Countless times I have fallen to my knees, begging for added strength; and innumerable times, He has blessed me with the help I needed to go on. 

Thank you for being my older brother. Thank you for your sacrifice for me, and all of our brothers and sisters. Thank you is not enough, I can never repay you for all you've blessed me with and the many mistakes you have helped erase over the years. I pray I can be more like you every day and help others find your light.