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My brother’s mental disability and epilepsy created some frightening moments for those in his family.

Medication helped to control the seizures, but his lack of judgment, impaired understanding of consequences, and propensity to wander away resulted in the need for 24/7 supervision. Even though he lived in a group home designed for that provision, he still needed an electronic tracker supplied by local law enforcement.

In his younger years, he performed various physical tasks, such as chores on the farm he grew up on. Later, he worked for a decade as a dishwasher at a restaurant. After his “retirement,” he still found satisfaction in voluntary occupations when accompanied by his caretaker.

Although his mental capacity was low, he learned to read. As a child, he memorized lots of Scripture in a Bible-believing church and family. One of his favorite pastimes involved copying what he read in the Bible into notebooks.

Sitting by his hospital bed, I listened to his ragged and hoarse breathing. At seventy-five, he fought pneumonia caused by complications of an autoimmune disorder. He soon lost the battle but won the war as Jesus welcomed him home.

I pondered the times when a Bible verse spouted from that throat. It may have seemed random and even inappropriate to the situation, but whenever we send out God’s word, God has an ultimate purpose for it. My brother planted seeds in listening ears and open hearts that only eternity will reveal.   

My brother lacked a lot of intellect, but the Holy Spirit used his ability to memorize and speak. Since God used the broken vessel my brother inhabited for his good aim, I wonder how He will use me, a broken vessel of another kind.

Avail yourself to express God’s Word to others. You will experience joy in seeing the results somewhere along the way.