Treasure
"Kent, your brother is in Heaven." The words are etched deeply in my memory, probably forever.
The news came on a Saturday afternoon in Ukraine shortly after I had returned home from running a few light errands. I received a call from the office informing me that my mom had called and that it was an emergency. Suddenly, my focus shifted to Manitoba (central Canada) where my older brother Garreth had been fighting lung cancer for the previous seven months. I was pretty sure of what the phone call could mean, yet I hoped I might be wrong.
"Kent — are you there?" I could hear the concern in my mother’s voice, but I couldn’t speak for a moment. Her words were so penetrating. They offered comforting assurance mixed with searing pain and it was a little too much for me right then.
By Tuesday I was in Manitoba with my family and would be there nearly two weeks before returning to Ukraine. The time was good, but hard. I wished I could have been there during his final weeks and days as stories and experiences and memories were related to me by family members. I was to deliver the eulogy for a brother I had hardly known.
Many people are praying for our families. Without this support, we would surely be a mess. Back in Ukraine now, I’m able to continue because of His healing and comfort in the work to which God has called me. Recently I was asked by someone if this loss would affect or change what I’m doing. I was able to answer confidently and without hesitation, "No."
I’m a missionary and for most of the time I knew him, my brother’s heart was hardened toward God. Our lives went in very different directions. During his brief battle with cancer, Garreth softened and took advantage of what would be his final opportunity to get things right with God.
An age difference of more than nine years between my brother and me reflected another tragic loss suffered by my parents. Garreth is not the only sibling I now have in Heaven, but the other two got there even before I was born.
I am now my parents’ only son. Ukraine and Canada are far apart and my being away is hard for all of us. My treasure is found in the Lord through them. They have known much pain, yet were always a steady example for us when tough times came. I’m blessed by their witness and the faith they so consistently hold to. My life is definitely richer because of them, and I see that more clearly now.
What is the treasure in your life? May it be your Source of joy and peace and comfort. May it give you hope in the midst of trials. May your treasure truly be in the right place and may your heart be there also.
