Little Brother

I have
always,
always,
always,
always,
always,
always 

... 

etc.

wanted a brother,

but more specifically, 

an older brother.

Which won't be happening, 

unless one of my sisters marries someone older than I am, 

which they aren't too keen on.  

Plus, that's only a brother-in-law.

As the eldest child, I want somebody to look up to, 

in both senses of the phrase.

I never ever thought I'd want a little brother...

except maybe a baby brother 

that stayed a baby forever.

But... that's not happening either.

Yet, I think 

that's changed over the past 2 weeks.

There's a little 9yo boy 

(today's his 10th birthday).

His name is Kevin

[I feel like Russell from the movie UP.] 

A boy

with whom my heart has

...well...

fallen in love 

... 

for.

NOT "with"

"for"

.

He's not dashingly daring 

(well, maybe a little)

or stupendously smart
(he could be though,
with a little hard work)
or angelically good
(ooooh, soooo far from it)

But he has a heart.

He cares for people.

And he's willing to change.

He's willing to turn 

from his selfish ways

and love other people.

He's willing to learn.

He's willing to turn around.

He's willing to repent.

I saw that

in the last two weeks

at the summer camp

hosted in our home,

where we taught on obedience

and loving God

and loving people.

He's an entirely different boy now.

Good gracious,

he used to get on people's nerves.

He was an expert
and mean prankster,

second only to a childhood friend

whom I never see anymore.

He boldly disobeyed

and sassed his authorities.

He manipulated acquaintances

both young and old.

He concocted skillful cover-ups

for his cheating acts

with plenty, sly blame-shifts.

There was no knowing

what mischievous scheme 

he was up to.

He possessed a plethora 

of shortcomings.

It's hard to fully explain

just how unpleasant he was.

Or perhaps, 

it's because

I've forgotten 

just how aggravating 

he used to be.

Now he's stopped.

He transformed himself.

He obeys immediately,

cheerfully,

faithfully,

without questioning.

He can be trusted now.
He's far from perfect.

BUT
he asks questions

on how to be a better boy

on how to share the Gospel

on how he was doing things wrong.

He's a new person.

And he's so lovable now,
almost attractive.

And like I said,

it's not because he's cute,

or super-intelligent,

or a model-child.

But, I still want him as a little brother.

I think I'll adopt him.

I don't know why
I love him so much.
I never thought
someone with
a teachable heart
could make people
love him.

Not that I want
to be a people-pleaser,
but thank you, Kevin,
for showing me
how I should live,
for demonstrating
how one should receive
correction,
admonition,
and rebuke,
from people,
from God,
and from His Word.
I want to live out
what I learn,
just like you do.

God bless you,
Kevin dear,
and Happy Birthday!

~CJ~