The Story of Keeping My Promise, Justin

On July 9, 2017, our 20-year-old son sat me down for a delicate conversation. For months Justin and I had been going back and forth about his desire for a motorcycle. I was adamantly against it sighting safety concerns, insurance expenses, etc. while he was passionately 100% ALL IN, for it.

On that tender Sunday evening,  Justin looked into my eyes and said, “Mama, just as you are concerned about my safety, I am concerned about your health.” The next words from his mouth changed me forever, “Mama if you are willing to get healthy, I won’t buy a motorcycle. I am worried about you. I will work out with you, and I will even wake up early with you. I will support you in this.”

My eyes filled with tears and my heart brimmed with thankfulness. His sacrificial love overwhelmed this Mama. Immediately, I wholeheartedly agreed to get healthy. I began my pilgrimage the very next day to better health and started rethinking my relationship with food.

Tragically, only six days later, we lost our beloved Justin in a car accident.

The way I see it, every day is a new opportunity to keep my promise to Justin as I cling to my hope in Christ Jesus.