Soaring on wings like Eagles

Something happened today that I have been waiting for since the end of my Freshman year. It's something that has been on my heart for that long, and have prayed, wished, waited, and yearned for this to happen, and finally, a few years and many failed attempts later, my twin brother went to Young Life camp with me. It has to be one of the most encouraging things that has happened to me since Saranac, and I am not even close to done with this great, great story.

My brother at one point told me he was never going to go with me to a Young Life camp. We've chased after him with everything we've got, and he still had what seemed like the hardest heart in the world. My good friend, Eric made it his mission to reach out to him last year, and he definitely had an impact on Brett's decision to go to camp. When he got there, there was so much to do, he couldn't think, so we just went, played basketball, and soccer, or whatever we wanted.

Skipping to the end of the weekend. We had the last club of the weekend. We are getting talked to by Brian Griffin (Griff) from West End, Richmond. He tells us that we are going to sing a song (How Deep The Father's Love For Us) and that afterwards, we'd start what is known as the say-so. The say-so is when the new believers get their chance to publicly announce to their friends that they have begun a relationship with Christ. I look around, and only a few Roanoke kids are standing up, one of which I was very glad they were, but we almost got done, and Griff says "If you guys who have started a relationship with Christ, but haven't stood up, I invite you to stand up" I look around, and people start to sprout up like Wildfire. Next thing I know, I look over at my twin brother, and he's looking back to ask a friend to stand up with him. He gets the microphone, and says he's begun the relationship, and my heart rises, and tears form around my eyes, because I just could not help but let it out. I'm looking at my friends, who all also see him standing, and hear him speak it, and they look over at me, and they know I'm crying tears of joy, because it's been something I've waited on for years!

The hugs go to him for his acceptance of the greatest Love there is, and the hugs come to me from those guys who have been a part of this fight for my brother. Now that the Lord has won that battle, I just hope Brett learns what it's like to live in relationship with Him. It's funny, here we are, 13-14 hours later, and I'm still beside myself with joy! God is so good.

That's the story, and I'm trying not to get emotional typing it, because it's the picture of the message, and of Young Life.

I love you guys...

TJ


"One day every tongue with confess You are God. One day every knee shall bow"