Unplanned Trials of Life: The Story Behind The Photo

One Saturday morning, I posted a photo that my husband took of me from our date night. Now, I have decided to share the story behind that photo. 

Monday of that week was the start of Spring Break in graduate school for me. After working all day, I finally had a week where I could go straight home and spend time with my husband and 2 year-old baby girl. No class, late night studying, assignments to turn in, or chapters to read that week. I had simply planned for the family to cook, catch up on tv shows, hang out with friends we hadn't seen in a while, and go to the park together that week. Oh, how excited I was when I got home on Monday evening! I immediately went upstairs and put on my husband's t-shirt and sweatpants, and ran downstairs in excitement about the homemade pizza and lasagna we were about to make. My husband was in charge of the pizza, and I was making the lasagna. 

Long story short, we ended up at MedHelp that evening, and I left there with 7 stitches in my thumb, and a tetanus shot in my left arm from cutting my thumb on a can of tomato sauce. We stopped at McDonalds for dinner, and said, "oh well" to the blood on the kitchen floor, and unfinished pizza and lasagna that was left on the counter tops, until the next day. 

Not the plan.

I went to work on Tuesday, thumb very sore from the stitches, but still excited about a week off from classes, and being able to go home immediately after work to spend time with my family. Sitting on the couch Tuesday evening with my family, I told my husband that it hurt to swallow and my right ear was hurting as well. I saw white spots on the back of my throat, and by 11 PM tears were falling from the pain I felt trying to swallow. I kept telling myself, "just wait until 8 AM to get back to MedHelp!" 

Wednesday morning, my Strep test came back positive. After a steroid shot and getting antibiotics from a local pharmacy I went home for the day because for 24 hrs, I was considered contagious. I ended up not going to work for the rest of the week, because even when the pain went away, my body was too fatigued to do anything. 

Not the plan.

Friday, my husband told me he had a surprise planned for me. After taking a shower, I walked downstairs and there was a makeup artist in our guest room/office space. JB arranged a makeup session for me to get all glammed up, and one of my best friends arrived to pick up JoJo (our 2 year-old). My husband even bought a little black dress for me to wear. He planned a date night to get me out of the house and for us to spend quality time together. It was such a perfect evening.

Finally, I was healed, and experiencing the "light at the end of the tunnel."

Listen...

Friends, are things not going as planned in your life right now? Are you finding yourself saying more times than not, "this just wasn't the plan!" 

HOLD ON! There is something so beautiful on the other side of every mistake, pain, disappointment, and moments of confusion in your life right now. 

Nope, it doesn't feel good to have to go through the unplanned ups and downs of life, but it's something so beautiful when you HOLD ON, AND KEEP PUTTING ONE FOOT IN FRONT OF THE OTHER...even when things don't feel or look good!

That week I learned that pain doesn't last always, rest is necessary, and Jesus is constantly interceding on my behalf.

I believe that God is more concerned with how you get through life trials (unplanned moments in life), and not necessarily concerned about the trial itself that you are experiencing. 

STAY FAITHFUL TO GOD DURING EACH TRIAL YOU GO THROUGH! 

God got you, and Jesus is interceding on your behalf for EVERY SINGLE THING you go through in life. 

I'm grateful for the beautiful picture (I didn't look like what I had been through that week), but I'm more grateful for the trials that anchored my faith that week. 

HOLD ON AND FAITHFULLY WALK THROUGH THIS TOUGH SEASON! 

Trial- a test of the performance, qualities, or suitability of someone or something.

Regardless of how you feel right now, you're built to pass this test and get through this trial. You will see the light at the end of the tunnel! 

GOD GOT YOU, I PROMISE!!..and I'm praying for you! 

Brittany Bradley

*Special thanks to Shonte Baltes at Bon Mercy Beauty Bar who is located in Tuscaloosa and Huntsville for doing my makeup. Your energy, your faith, and your presence made my day!! You're such an amazing woman Shonte! You did an amazing job on my makeup!! This momma felt like a star because of you!

*Thanks to my friend LeKeshia Thomas for my jewelry in the photo!

*Thanks to our friends Chris and Quachetta Jones for always being there for the Bradley's! We appreciate you guys! Looking for an encouraging word and great recipes, check out my friend's website Faithfully Anchored!

*And lastly, thanks to my husband for being super man that week, and every week taking good care of your wife and daughter! I appreciate you getting me to the doctor, and praying for me in the parking lot of MedHelp as I cried from just being disappointed in what all had happened that week. And again, thank you for such a beautiful date night, and all the effort you put into putting a smile on my face that whole day! Literally, a day I will never forget papa!

                                     

**My family at JoJo's first dance recital! Love them sooooo much!!**