 The accompanying photo, by Chris Christo, is of Brielle and Kyrie Jackson who were born October 17, 1995 at Massachusetts Memorial Hospital in Worcester, MA. Each of the twins, having been born prematurely, weighed two pounds at birth. They were watched over very carefully, each in their respective incubators. Kyrie began putting on weight immediately, but Brielle struggled. She cried and cried, leaving her gasping and blue-faced. Doctors did not think Brielle would survive. They wrapped her in blankets, her mother held her, and her father held her, but nothing they did seemed to help. Finally, a hospital nurse, Gayle Kasparian, went against hospital rules and placed the babies in one incubator together. Almost immediately, Brielle snuggled up to Kyrie, and Kyrie--the healthier of the two--put her arm over her sister in an endearing embrace. Brielle’s blood-oxygen saturation levels, which had been frighteningly low, soared. She began to breathe more easily. The frantic crying stopped and her normal pinkish color quickly returned. Over the next weeks, her health improved steadily in her new, less lonely quarters.
This touching story about the power of healing love between siblings is a lesson for all of us. We live in a culture that continues to be ever more harsh in its attitudes and use of words. People use words to bully others, cut them down, and to instigate anger and division. That’s the world we live in, but God’s people must do better if we are going to represent Jesus well to the lost world. People need the hope and encouragement that comes from those who understand we are on a journey together through this life which leads us to Heaven. In Romans 13:17-18 the Apostle Paul wrote, Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. And in Hebrews 3:13 we read, Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today.” You never know for sure what difficulties someone may be going through at any moment. That’s why we must be intentional about giving encouragement to those within our circle of influence. Blessings to you, Tyler
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