It’s a new month and a new week. I love when months start out at the beginning of the week. Makes it seem easier to start something new. It’s Monday. It’s February. So guess what, I’m starting something new.

As I mentioned before, I have a love of New Year’s Resolutions. While I’m not technically doing any this year, I am slowly chipping away at my 30-before-30 list. In January I wrote about saving for Paris, #10 on my list. And I began learning piano (no easy task!), #6. This month I am starting three new endeavors; training for my half marathon, #1, learning to make crepes, #28, and sharing the Gospel with those on my prayer list, #24.

That last one is no easy task either, for me that is.

The first person on my list is my younger brother, “FP”. FP lived with us for nearly 15 months, during 2008/2009. He graciously went to our church, allowed us to be involved in his life and was actively involved with us as a real part our family. We spent most Saturday mornings eating breakfast and sipping coffee for hours. This was always the favorite time of the week for all of us. During his stay, FP saw the Gospel lived out, not only in our lives, but also in the lives of the people around us. He saw us stumble, sin, ask for forgiveness, rely on grace and get back up again. We shared the Gospel with him continuously.

And then he left.

He moved back to Tennessee last May. That was a very hard time for me. Life in the house was becoming strained. FP was 18 in every sense of the word –  ready to spread his wings, make his own choices, and explore the world on his terms. I played the role of a mother well – sad to see him leave. Although, I was glad to let go of some of the weight of tough responsibilities. One of the hardest parts for me in watching FP leave, was knowing that he had never given his life over to Christ.

In the past 8 months we’ve kept in close touch with FP. Last week I asked him if I could pray for him for the entire month of February. Specifically, that God would reveal Himself in new and moving ways. He said yes.

And so begins my February Challenge. To pray for FP every day. I’ve set a timer on my phone for the same time each day. I expect to see God and something amazing in my life and in my baby brother’s.