I’ve been blessed all my life. Even with the trials I’ve faced, I have always been able to see the good that has blossomed despite difficult circumstances. So with all my life experience, you would think that this weekend should not have come as a surprise to me…and yet it did.

So what happened this weekend? Pure selflessness happened… and it astonishes me every time. I am blown away by the complete out pour of love and support that we experienced this weekend as a family. I have so many thank you notes to write it literally might take me the rest of this year to finish them all.

The PTA at my husband’s school got together and organized a fundraiser for our son Gideon at the Ball Park in Arlington. One of the PTA moms works for a company who generously allowed them to use their center-field box suite!! Have you ever watched a Rangers game (or any ball game for that matter) from a suite?? It was AAAAMAZING! Not only was it the nicest and biggest suite ever (seriously there were at least 7 rooms); but it was complete with flat screen TVs, four old school arcade games, huge balcony and a foosball table. And the amazing-ness didn’t stop there. They had it catered (and donated) by Maggiano’s and it was open bar. So basically all the proceeds, every last bit, went into an account for my son. I think you will all agree with me when I say that Abbett Elementary has the BEST. PTA. EVER!

This wonderful group of people did an amazing job and they raised a lot of money- for which, we are so grateful! But what was more significant to me than the awesome setting or profits was the heart that went into all of this. Complete selflessness. Everyone involved, looking for some way to help (even if they didn’t know us that well). Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure the open bar was enticing for some (lol), but everyone had a genuine concern and love for my sweet little boy and our family…and it was all because my husband lovingly hollers at their kids for 45 minutes of PE every day! It was a sincere gathering of people who were being the hands and feet of Jesus, whether they realized it or not.

If love was an ocean, we were drowning in it. And you know what? We have been ever since Gideon’s diagnosis. Our family, our friends, and people we don’t even know…thanks to Mama Laughlin… have been so supportive with their prayers and their gifts, that I’m overwhelmed with tears just thinking about it. In fact let me go ahead and say thank you. If you have prayed for us, or given to us online, or loved on us- we are forever in your debt. You have been so selfless…and we are so thankful.

I have to brag on my husband for a little bit. Kevin is wonderful for a million reasons; but for reason #45,323- we have some amazing discussions! He doesn’t hold any kind of theology degree but he is profoundly wise when it comes to Jesus. Kevin has these moments that seem to start out so random, and then when he’s finished talking I can’t help but think to myself, “Holy crap, this guy chose me!” He would probably prefer I not share this- simply because he’s more of an introvert when it comes to his intimate thoughts. However, I think it’s worth sharing given our circumstances and this past week.

Lying in bed the other night, Kevin told me about a conversation he recently had with someone. This person said he felt like it should be him going through our situation because of his own sinful past; but the thought of giving up or losing his own son was too unbearable. So Kevin started thinking, “What if the shoe was on the other foot? Would we willingly give up our son, so someone else didn’t have to go through this?” Crazy to think about, right?  I don’t think anyone would offer to give up his or her own child, that’s just absurd! We love them too much!! After all, they belong to us!!!

Or do they?

Kevin said the conversation with this person got him thinking about the brokenness and sin in his own life. He said he made a mental list (not hard given our past) and for every sin he could come up with, at its core was selfishness. Think about it, why do people deceive, murder, lie, commit adultery, steal, or covet (just to name a few)? Because they want something so bad they are willing to do those things to satisfy a selfish desire.

So after that realization, my husband said the following-

“At the core of every sin is selfishness. So by giving up His Son, God did the most selfless act possible to cure our sin of selfishness.” –Kevin Jolicoeur

I think his statement is profound and worth sharing- God showed us what it means to be selfless. He selflessly gave what is most precious and dear. He gave…what we cannot fathom giving…in order to help us in the sinful state we are in. Jesus died so we could spend eternity with Him. What appeared as a moment of victory for darkness, God used for the  greatest good of all time.

We were fortunate this weekend (and this past week) to see so many people be completely selfless…the Abbett family, Mama Laughlin and her readers, family and friends…You are examples of what it means to be selfless. I’m surprised every time by people’s willingness to give, and I’m not sure why. Maybe feeling that kind of love and support is just so overwhelming, it comes as a shock. Or maybe it’s because I get to see first hand, that my son’s life means something to others besides us. Nevertheless, so many have been reaching out and making a difference in this season of our lives…So many have offered to put our needs ahead of their own. So many have touched our hearts.

If that’s been you, thank you…from the bottom of our hearts, thank you!! You have given up time and possessions that are important to you in order to help us walk through this. Your acts of kindness are beyond anything we could have hoped for and your sacrifices have not gone unnoticed. They have been received with the joyful tears and cries of sincere gratitude. We thank Jesus for you!! So let me close and just say it again. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you for being so selfless.