As I reflect on my brother Bryan’s life, I realize there is a lot I don’t know about the years he lived on this earth. I know our family split when we were all young. I know many of us floundered in different ways. I know there were hardships, disabilities, and dysfunctions in our home growing up.

Although the two clans seemed to go their separate ways, I always kept in touch with Bryan, trying to help him some financially, without enabling. Trying to watch out for him some, as I was sure my mother would have wanted me to. Trying to point him in the direction of the faith that I had found at an early age…knowing that in the end, that is all that matters.

I will miss talking to Bryan on the phone every few weeks, sometimes me calling…other times, him. I will always be grateful for the conversation my husband had with him several months ago, patiently walking him through the plan of salvation and leading him to Christ.

It seems strange that Bryan is not here, but I believe he is in heaven. I can only imagine our Papaw greeting him upon his arrival, smiling, and saying, “Well, I’m glad you made it…because, that’s all that matters.”

For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Mark 8:36 (NKJV)