I think my brother, Carlos, is the kind of big brother that every boy should have. He's popular with the older boys, but he doesn't hesitate to wave to me and spend time talking to me when he sees me in the halls at school. If he hears that anyone is mean to me, he fixes them with a stare that promises swift retribution. He belongs to the football team this year, but he's also spent time on the wrestling team, so no one wants to put him to the test.
When Georgie Scanlon started spreading a nasty rumor about me, it took a few weeks for it to reach me. I had sensed a lot of my classmates giving me strange looks, but I didn't know why. When I heard about the rumor, I went up to Georgie and asked him why he’d said those things. He just laughed and shrugged his shoulders.
I don't know how Carlos heard about it, but he did. One morning at the breakfast table, he came over and hugged me before sitting down. 'Julio,' he began. 'Why didn't you tell me about the trash talk Georgie Scanlon is spreading? You don't deserve that nonsense. I can protect you from trash like that.' I told him that it was no big deal, and that it was just words. But I couldn't fool Carlos. Besides, he saw the tears I had to quickly wink back into my eyes.
I didn't know what Carlos said – or did – to Georgie, but a few days later, Georgie walked up to me at my locker and apologized. He told me he would do his best to tell everyone that the rumor wasn't true.
A few days later, my classmates began treating me normally again. I thanked Carlos when I got home that night, but he shrugged his shoulders and said, 'That's my job, Julio. That's what big brothers do. I know you're not perfect, but no one gets to spread trash about you that isn't true. Not when I can do something about it.' Carlos was serious. He continued. 'Listen, Julio. Next year, I'm going to be at college. I won't be here to deal with guys like Georgie Scanlon - and there are guys like Georgie in every kid's life. So, listen up. You may think that having a big brother to defend you is what keeps you safe. Julio, I'm glad to help keep you safe. But it's important to know that when you are in trouble, you have Someone Who can protect you even better than I can.' 'You mean Jesus, don't you?' 'Yes, Julio. Jesus is with You every moment of the day. So, when I am at college, He will be there for You.' 'Carlos, I know Jesus loves me. But can’t you teach me how to take care of bullies the same way as you do? After all, Jesus' love won't beat anybody up.' I don’t beat anyone up, either Julio.' 'You've gotta be kidding, Carlos! You mean you didn't beat up any of those guys who messed with me?' 'No, I didn’t, Julio. I went to those boys, and I spoke to them about how mean it was for them to speak untruthfully. And then, I also told them that Jesus loves them – and I prayed with them.' 'You PRAYED with Georgie Scanlon – and all those other guys? Seriously, Carlos?' 'Seriously.' 'Wow, man. I gotta think about this.' 'Julio, I might act tough, and people know I was a wrestler. But wrestling is different than beating people up. If I get tough with someone outside the ring, it's with words. My own protection comes from God, and yours should, too. When I am at college, that's where I want you to turn when you need protection.' I walked away tonight with a changed view of my brother - and questions about my life. I have faith in Jesus, but maybe I need to rethink His role in my life.
Jesus may not beat people up - but I think maybe He needs to shake up my life.