Growing up, I didn't have a good model for what a father or husband should be. My father wasn't a good reference—he was a man who loved his freedom more than his family and himself more than his wife. So, when I looked at my younger brother, I was terrified. I know the power of genes, and I was deeply concerned that he would inevitably walk the same destructive path.
When he was still a teenager, and I was in my early twenties, I took it upon myself to fight for his future on my knees. I prayed relentlessly, pleading with God to make him a new creation. I would proclaim out loud: "All the bad habits and bad genes from my father are broken and away from my brother’s life, in Jesus' name!"
For years, I didn't see any change. He was just a normal kid, but he voiced the same fear I had—he told me he was terrified of becoming our father. He hated the very idea of it. I kept my eye on him, watching for any red flag, worried that he might turn out selfish and unloving just like our dad.
But God was working in the silence.
Recently, my sister was in tears, heartbroken over a relationship issue. She was crying to different siblings, looking for advice. When she came to me, I gave her advice from a woman’s perspective—based on my experiences and emotions. It was practical, but it lacked power.
Then, she went to my brother.
Instead of giving her human advice, he opened his mouth and spoke faith. He shared his personal testimony with her. He guided her with the Word of God, showing her what Christ says about love, worth, and healing.
I was completely floored. The shock brought me to tears.
In that moment, I realized the truth: God is faithful. He heard every single prayer I whispered years ago, even when I forgot to keep praying. He didn't just protect my brother from becoming our father; He transformed him into a man of God.
Now, my brother isn't just saved. He is a blessing. And that is a miracle I will never stop being grateful for. My brother is no longer a product of my father's mistakes. He is a product of God's grace.
Bible verse references (for the promise which God provide):
"Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."
— Philippians 1:6
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
— 2 Corinthians 5:17
"Before they call, I will answer; while they are still speaking, I will hear."
— Isaiah 65:24
"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh."
— Ezekiel 36:26
"The son will not share the guilt of the father, nor will the father share the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous man will be credited to him, and the wickedness of the wicked will be credited to him."
— Ezekiel 18:20
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