PERCEPTION IS REALITY

The painful things you go through can be great teachers. As many of you know my son has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy - a debilitating muscular disease. As a dad, it is very hard to have a front row seat to watch your child struggle. Dads are supposed to fix things; but often in life, some things can't be 'fixed'. I think we all have things that we can't change - whether death of a family member or friend, health problems, job loss, or relational hurts.

One thing God has been showing me through my pain is that perception is reality. I can choose to look at my situation as a victim (and I have). I could question, "Why my son? Why me? Why can’t it be different?” Or I could choose to see things as a Gift. I have been chosen to care for my son. He teaches me life is not about things -it's about living in the moment. There is beauty in the pain!

Whatever you are walking through, take the time to see the beauty in it. When we choose to change the way we see things, the things we see will start to look different!

"...whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
Phil. 4:8

HOLD MY HANDS UP!

The other day, my son, Romann, and I were going to our church youth group event. Traveling with Romann usually requires some planning to ensure we can navigate the area with his wheelchair or identifying back up plans (ex. carrying up/down steps). We got to the event and the worship band started to sing. I was so preoccupied with getting Romann there and setting everything up, that I was not in the mood to sing or praise God. As I sat there stewing in my frustration, I looked over to see my son singing with all his heart. My child, ‘inconvenienced’ with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (a disease which slowly robbed him of walking and is now diminishing his arm strength), was giving it his all.

As I watched my son singing, he slowly began struggling to raise his arms to praise God. Romann turned to me and asked if I could lift his arms for worship. As I held his arms up, the emotions began flooding in. I was so moved to watch him praise his Creator. Even though everything is his body is starting to shut down, in that moment, nothing else mattered!

I know dads are to be examples to their children, but despite so many difficulties, during times like this, my son manages to be the teacher. I love how much my son enriches my life. I am a better man for it! ! #holdmyhandsup