My facebook feed has been filled as of late with the story of Joey+Rory.  Joey is in final stages of cervical cancer, and after recent treatments failed to kick it, they have decided to finish out her life at home with family.

This is obviously a touching story for a number of reasons.  We all know someone touched by cancer, and fear that this very moment may be reached in their life too.  She’s also a mother, and no mother wants to think about dying young and missing out on the lives of our children.  Even more, she’s a special needs mother, and her daughter, Indiana, has been shown in recent videos making her mom laugh even in the midst of appointments and treatments.  Indiana has down syndrome.

There’s something especially frightening about leaving behind a special needs child.  Caring for them becomes your purpose, and trusting someone else to do that is impossible.  I can’t imagine the heartache she is going through, but the brave face she and the family have put on for the public is admirable.  Such amazing grace.

When the natural order of life is disrupted, it seems unfair.  When children lose young mothers.  When mothers lose children.  When science doesn’t work.  When prayers seem unanswered.  All of the above are happening all around us. May we have each other’s backs and step in to be the mothers who are gone, may we help find the love and purpose that a mother lost, may we rely on faith when science fails, and may we find joy despite undesirable circumstances.  And may we do it with such amazing grace.

I’m not telling you anything you couldn’t have read on countless other pages.  I do hope you’ll join in praying for this family.  And I do want to share a special moment that happened, and that back story seemed important.

I play music for the boys a lot in the evenings.  After reading an update today, I decided to play Joey singing Amazing Grace.  I’ve never seen Nolan react with such joy!  I ended up playing it 4 times, and he smiled and responded the entire time.   K declared it Nolan’s favorite song, and we both watched his joy in awe.

I know that our natural order has also been disrupted.  I know cancer stinks.  I know the challenge and blessing of seeking joy despite unanswered prayers.  But despite all of that, I also know amazing grace.