I met my future brother-in-law when I was a sophomore in high school. He came across as the type of guy that would rip the face off of anyone that messed with his sister. It also added a bit of intimidation to my situation when I learned this young man with the full-blown mustache was only in the eighth grade! What?!?! I thought he was her older brother! As time passed and it became apparent I was going to marry his sister, we started to get to know each other better. (I think my future wife told him to stop growling when I was nearby.) I soon found that my future brother-in-law was a very focused, intelligent young man. At the age of fifteen, he already knew more about cars than I do today, he was a good musician, and he would be going from high school straight into the United States Marines Corp. Very few of the teenagers I knew were so sure of their career path than he.
I married My Beautiful Wife the summer before his senior year. By then, he and I had become friends. Somewhere around then, he found that he would not be able to serve his country as a Marine. I know this was a blow to him and his future plans. I was heart broken for him. However, he quickly adjusted and started moving forward. I was impressed as I watched him not only grow and mature as a man, but more importantly he grew as a man of God. I have seen him suffer several major setbacks in his personal and professional life. Each time, he has moved forward with determination and the strength he could only gain from leaning on the power of his Lord. I am still amazed at the amount of grace he was able to show in some of the trials he has faced. I seriously doubt I could have handled myself in such a loving and forgiving manner. He is truly my living example of Proverbs 16:9, “We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.” (NLT)
Over the years, he and I have become closer than many biological brothers are in their relationship with each other. He is more than just the lead mechanic on my Bel Air project. He is a godly man whom I love and respect. He is my brother.
Thank you Lord, for not only blessing me with My Beautiful Wife, but also allowing me to gain a brother when I married her.
Do you have a brother-from-another-mother, or maybe a sister-from-another-mister? How have they made a positive affect on your life? Share about your “adopted” brother, or sister, in the comment section.
