My Brother Erin, an "Alternative Narrative" I Wish You Knew

My brother, Erin, on a trip to Kenya with family

I’ve been a little more than worried about my brother, Erin, lately. Erin is my next oldest brother.  He lives in Maryland and is one of the thousands of government workers who are or may lose their job in the upcoming cuts. If you watch FOX news Erin is a one of those “bloated, bureaucratic fraudsters living off American taxpayers”! He’s one of the bad guys.

Only, I know my brother, and he’s not. Erin works long hours in his office in Washington DC, often going into work at 6 am and working into the night. He works for what we used to call the “food stamp” program, but what is now called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). And he cares deeply about what he does.

Erin has always been a passionate and caring human being, but his passion for food came to him when he entered the peace corps and served two years in Kenya. It was there that he saw the devastating effects hunger and poverty had on some of the people in Kenya. And when he came home, I remember overhearing him having long extended talks with my dad about what he should do with his life. He wanted to do something in this world that would make a difference. And it was then that he decided that he could do the “most good” by getting involved in politics because governments had so much to do with how food was distributed in the world. He saw government as a way to make the world a better place. And after getting his master’s degree he took a job in Washington DC with the SNAP program and has been working tirelessly ever since.

Erin didn’t take this job just to make a buck. He took this job because he cares deeply about the issues of hunger in our country and the world. I’m not sure if my brother Erin could quote his passion for life this way but he falls right in line with John Wesley’s understanding of the three simple rules: Do no harm, stay in love with a loving God, and do all the good you can, to all the people you can, for as long as you ever can!” Erin is living out the will of God in the world through his work for SNAP. He wants and dreams of a world where hunger will not take lives, and he believes in a government that can help solve that problem.

Dianna Butler Bass says that one of the greatest questions we should be asking ourselves at this time is this: “What do you think is the responsibility of a Christian citizen to love their neighbor, offer charity, and practice kindness and mercy?”  For her these are the defining characteristics of not just any good Christian but any good person from any faith. A person of faith who takes their religion and citizenship seriously should: love their neighbor, offer charity, and practice kindness and mercy. My brother, Erin, has dedicated his life to doing just that through his work in Washington, DC.  And I can say this with all of my heart: our world will not be better off without my brother working where he is.

About 15 years ago, I visited my brother, and he had a backyard party. At the party were 10-15 of Erin’s closest friends. Many of them worked with him in Washington DC.  As I walked around and talked with them, I was amazed at what I saw and heard. It was like walking around a back yard full of 10-15 “Erin” clones. These people cared so passionately about the world and about what they were doing. They were all doing “good work.”  Work that mattered. Work that made a difference.

They were “kingdom of God” people. And they still are.

So, the next time you see or hear FOX news talking about governmental workers being ““bloated, bureaucratic fraudsters living off American taxpayers,” do me a favor. Think about my brother, Erin, and know that there is an alternative narrative that is much more beautiful than that.

Thanks, Erin. Praying for you and yours,

Your brother, so so proud of your “good work,” Brook