My brother Justin was always one of the smaller kids in his class, and he was always I little different. These two qualities always painted a big bulls eye on him for the school bullies. He ways always coming home with a bloody nose or a torn shirt. Eventually Justin was afraid to go to school.

Finally my brother discovered a secret weapon, his larger stronger older brother, I always seemed to have a natural ability to deal with bullies if you know what I meanJ . Needless to say when I was by Justin’s side the bullies left him alone. Gradually my brother once again found the courage to return to school.

Many of discover quickly that life can throw some pretty hard punches. Our eyes get blackened and our noses get bloodied, and we start to see life as an ordeal. We scurry away from the thought of serving Jesus.

But the Lord is by our side. Jesus gives us the courage to face the ordeals of this life. Like our big brother, Jesus stands side by side with us and joins our fights. He fends off some of the blows, and he nurses our wounds when we are hurt. As Christ walks by our side, God’s strength becomes our strength. It is a gift to enable us to live abundantly and to God’s glory.

From Patrick a servant of God chosen to be an apostle of Jesus Christ