Almost 3 years ago, God led me to an epiphany in my life.  Through a series of life experiences and friendships, as well as a couple books, God brought me to understand that I've had a deep need for "brothers" in my life.  I have 3 actual brothers....used to be 4(one is a whole brother, the other 3 half-brothers, but one passed away in 1989).  There was also one guy, my whole brother's best friend, who was a "brother" to me all my years of growing up. Yet, due to the demands and choices of life, my brothers haven't been much a part of my life for years.  Growing up, they were of key importance to my nurturing, the building of my self-esteem, my feelings of safety and security, and the ones on whom I depended to take care of me.

The absence of my brothers has been difficult for my life the last 18 years, and I have gone through a gamut of emotional challenges because of it.  However, it wasn't until 2005 that I realized it was my brothers I was missing and "searching for".  At that point, God began to show me how He was trying to provide for that need in my life, how He understood it, understood me, and that if I would trust Him with it, He would take care of it.......He's done just that.

God has blessed me with some close "brothers" in my life these last few years.  A couple have been younger brothers to me, and that is good.  There were a couple who I felt were brothers, but they didn't feel likewise, that I was a sister, so it was a sad, disappointing loss for me when they stepped out of my life.  Now, currently, I have two friends who are "brothers", who consider me a "sister", and have actually called me "sis".  One happens to be a third cousin of mine who I never knew existed, nor did he know about me, until 2 years ago.  What an incredible blessing it has been to get to know him and to build this mutual familial friendship!  Then, the other "brother" is one of my best friend's husbands, who never had a sister growing up, and who has claimed me as his "sis".  I know I can call on either of these men, as a sister would a brother, and they'll be there.  What a tremendous gift God has given to me!

Some may wonder why a woman would need brothers when she has a husband....well, I used to not understand this myself.....hence the reason God had to lead me to understand His purposes in all of this.  The fact is, God made us all for each other.  He made His children for Himself and for one another, not just for Him, not just for one other person.  For His Body to become One, then we all are called to be connected to one another in unity.  This rarely happens in this life, but it can, and He will provide for it, if we allow Him.  I can explain all of this better in a personal conversation. 

For now, may it be enough for me to exclaim that I thank God for my "brothers from other mothers"! (0=

DEAR GOD,
I want to thank You for what you have already done.

I am not going to wait until I see results or receive rewards; I am thanking you right now.

I am not going to wait until I feel better or things look better; I am thanking you
right now.

I am not going to wait until people say they are sorry or until they stop talking about me; I am thanking you right now.

I am not going to wait until the pain in my body disappears; I am thanking you right now.

I am not going to wait until my financial situation improves; I am going to thank
you right now.

I am not going to wait until the children are asleep and the house is quiet; I am going to thank you right now.

I am not going to wait until I get promoted at work or until I get the job; I am going to thank you right now.

I am not going to wait until I understand every experience in my life that has caused me pain or grief; I am thanking you right now.

I am not going to wait until the journey gets easier or the challenges are removed; I am thanking you right now.

I am thanking you because I am alive. I am thanking you because I made it through the day's difficulties. I am thanking you because I have walked around the obstacles.  I am thanking you because I have the ability and the opportunity to do more and do better.  I'm thanking you because FATHER, YOU haven't given up on me.

God, You are so good, all the time.

Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass.....It's about
learning how to dance in the rain!!!!