God Places the Lonely in Families

Regardless of what the world tells us, selfless acts of love still take place. My personal experience is a story of a mother who had three children, and decided to share her baby son with me. His name is Bryce.

 Bryce came into my life when he was four years old. When his dad and I married in 1997, he was six. Raising a small child at this point in my life was not part of my plan, but it was part of the deal. I was determined to give it my all. Although I was only 25 years old, I felt like I had what it took because of what my parents and grandparents had given me.

 Bryce’s dad was a high school coach who worked long days. And although Bryce spent many afternoons on the field with his dad, he and I also spent many nights and mornings together. Our bond grew from Friday afternoon car rides between Thibodaux and Baton Rouge, Saturday mornings in the bed eating pop-tarts and watching cartoons and doing weekend school projects.

 As life went on, there were many firsts that we shared. There was his first trip to Disney … his first airplane ride to Atlanta to watch the LSU Tigers play … him jumping off a cliff into Table Rock Lake …. driving PawPaw Pops’ boat … and riding horses with PawPaw D.

 Mid-way through his 9th grade year, he asked his mom if he could live with us full time. He wanted to be coached by his dad. I was six months pregnant with Jackson. I was about to go from a part-time parent to a full-time parent of two children.

 When love is true, you let go. In December 2005, Bryce moved in. There was no way for me to know the sadness his mom felt. I didn’t understand until my Jackson went to live with his dad in 2017. Bryce’s mom was the very first person I thought of. When love is true, you let go.

 There is a lot that comes next that’s messy. And I will not write something that is someone else’s story to share.  But fast forward one year to December 2006 and the three of us are living a life without their dad. Bryce decided to stay with us which was weird to many people. It wasn’t weird to me. People would ask, “Why isn’t Bryce going back to Thibodaux?” I remember replying, “I don’t know why. We never thought about it.” They continued to be inquisitive and question his mom’s love. HIs mother was a good mom, we saw eye to eye, we both loved her son. There wasn’t much discussion, somehow we all knew that Bryce was to stay with me and Jackson.

 Years later it became crystal clear how Bryce staying with us was all part of God’s plan. It didn’t seem logical by the world’s standards. It brought questions to me and I’m sure his mom that we really couldn’t answer. But it was a tremendous blessing, and most of all, a tremendous blessing to me.

 During this time, friends would say, “Bryce sure is lucky to have you.”  I allowed people to think that. It made me feel good about myself. I love to be needed. One of my defects of character that I’m more aware of today is that I trust people to love me when they need me, I don’t trust people to love me when they don’t. Yeah, Bryce needed me.

 Bryce had a mom that nurtured him and disciplined him. Bryce had older siblings. The truth was that I needed Bryce more than he needed me. And God saw it through that he stayed by my side during the most difficult years of my life.

 Jackson was a sick, asthmatic baby. Bryce ran countless trips to Walgreens. My job was 45 miles from home and demanding. Bryce often bathed Jackson and put him to bed. I missed my married life, I was lonely. Bryce made us a family. I had spent my entire adult life being a mom and a coaches wife. Bryce kept me working the concession stand and volunteering in the booster club. Bryce and his friends continued to sleep over, eat all the food in the house and ask for girlfriend advice. It was exactly what I needed to heal.

 Bryce taught Jackson to turn his baseball cap backwards. He taught him to swing a bat. He used him as a chick magnet at Halloween and on the beach. Because Bryce stayed, it always felt like a family. I was lonely and because of his mom’s selfless love, He placed the lonely in a family, Psalm 68:6

 Tonight, on May 10, 2019, Bryce will marry the girl of his dreams. Once again, his mom is sharing this momentous occasion with me. I’m beyond thankful and grateful. And because of the example she has set for Bryce, a selfless love, I know in my heart he will make an amazing husband and father.

 I never want to do life without you “Bubba”.  I’m so glad I don’t have to. I have enjoyed watching you grow into a wonderful man and I’m over the moon about the woman you picked to share the rest of your life with. Our family, as messy as it is, has always been there to support you. That will not change … now we will be there to support you and Lauren.

 Happy Life!