If you can't find joy, be joy...
Another day. Another trip to NCH. Another transfusion needed. It was raining this morning and neither one of us wanted to go. Both of us kept whining about it during our preparation and drive. “I just want to stay home” were words I kept hearing and “me too” were the words I kept saying. But, In the car we went, through the pouring rain. We were almost there when Brady said, “can’t we please just go back home?” I thought about it for a few seconds. And I quickly thought about the things that would make his heart happy and change his outlook on the day. So then I said, “you know what Brady, I don’t want to go either, but let’s make the best of it. Why don’t we find someone to bless today? Let’s go with the mission of doing good for someone else.” Chris and I have spent the last several years trying to cultivate hearts in our children that love to serve others. Through the countless weekends they have spent serving their community in different ways (that have sometimes ended in crying), they have learned the satisfaction and pure joy that comes from being a blessing to someone else, especially when that person wasn’t expecting it. And Brady is the leader of the group. Serving others brings such joy to his heart. When it comes to the five love languages, he is an acts of service kid all day long. So whenever it comes to outreach or helping others, Brady is your kid. His voice lightened as he asked, “who should we help?” I told him I wasn’t sure, but I’m sure we would know when we got there. Deep down, once the words had left my lips I already knew who it would be.
You see, this journey is hard, but there have been so many good things that have come from it. We have been blessed to work with some incredible nurses that have left a mark on our hearts forever. One of those nurses was expecting her first child. A couple weeks ago in our conversation she told us that her sweet baby girl was going to be born into a battle of its own and for the last couple weeks I haven’t been able to get them off of my mind. I’ve been praying for them constantly. The long surgeries she would go through, the time a part they had to face, the pain they would endure, all of it. Today, we learned that momma is doing well and baby girl is battling just a few floors away. So after his transfusion, we headed for the gift shop. Brady picked out the most amazingly soft, fluffy unicorn I’ve ever seen (along with a couple other things😉) for that sweet baby girl. Because you know, soft things are the best. We both left with smiles on our faces and joy in our hearts. Sometimes we have to take our eyes off the things we can’t change and ask God how to help us see the victory in the battle we are in. We need to ask Him to open our eyes to the joy around us. And if we can’t find joy in our circumstances, then let us be joy in someone else’s. A funny thing happens when you be the light, you actually get brighter too. So really, it’s a win-win. So, go be the light friends. Find a way to share some love today. “Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.” #waytobattlebrady #bravelikebrady #leukemiawarrior #phillylikemutation #TheBattleIsOn And thank you to everyone who is sharing Brady’s story and our family’s battle through his diagnosis. This page is reaching tens of thousands of people and our prayer will continue to be that people have their faith renewed and strengthened through our journey. 🧡