SO. LEARNING TO SAY THANK YOU: THE BEAUTIFUL LESSON IN GRACE BEHIND WILL ROBERTS’ DREAM BOAT.
In life, we are often taught that it is “more blessed to give than to receive.” We honor the generous, the philanthropists, and those who are always ready to lend a helping hand. But there is another lesson—one that is harder, requiring a deeper level of humility that not everyone is ready to face: The lesson of how to receive. For the Roberts family in Ralph, Alabama, the journey with their 14-year-old son, Will, as he battles bone cancer, has been more than a fight against malignant cells. It has been a spiritual odyssey to learn how to open their hearts to the overwhelming love of a community.
When Pride Meets Love
The Roberts family has always been self-reliant and resilient. Like any parents, Jason and Brittney Roberts wanted to provide everything for their children with their own two hands. When Will shared his dream of owning a professional bass boat—his greatest passion and the one thing that helps him forget the physical agony of his illness—Jason and Brittney planned to make it happen themselves. They were prepared to use every resource they had, and even take on debt, just to see their son smile on the water again.
But God and the community had a different plan.
Brittney shared that she had to learn a difficult but vital lesson from a God-fearing sister in Christ: “Refusing a blessing can take away someone else’s opportunity to give.” That single sentence shifted the family’s entire perspective. Swallowing one’s pride is never easy, especially for a hardworking family, but they have learned the power of two simple words: “Thank you.”
A Boat is More Than a Vessel; It is a Promise
The organization National Kidz Outdoors, along with a massive community of bass fishermen and local businesses like The Meat Locker, joined forces to turn Will’s dream into a reality. This was never just a fundraiser; it was a collective declaration that Will is not alone in this fight.
The professional bass boat that Will has spent hours dreaming about is, in many ways, a “trophy” for his bravery. For a 14-year-old boy enduring grueling chemotherapy and bone-shattering pain, a boat is not just a recreational vehicle. It represents hope. It represents warm days on the lake, the thrill of the catch, and a future where he is the captain of his own life once again.
However, when the most recent PET scan showed the cancer had spread drastically, time suddenly became a ruthless enemy. Jason was forced to ask the organization if this “Christmas gift” could happen sooner. In the world of cancer, “the future” is a luxury, and “right now” is all that is guaranteed.
Integrity in the Midst of the Storm
One of the most moving and respectable parts of this story is the Roberts family’s absolute integrity. Brittney made it clear: they are not asking for more donations. The remaining balance for the boat—the portion the organization was still working to raise—will be covered by the family using funds originally intended for Will’s 15th-birthday truck.
Brittney’s candid declaration that the family would provide for themselves as long as they could afford the basics, or even small comforts like getting nails done or enjoying a meal out, showed a fierce Alabama spirit. They accept help when it comes from the heart of the community, but they never exploit it. This transparency is exactly why Will’s story has touched thousands, creating a bond of absolute trust between the family and their supporters.
The Children’s of Alabama Setback: A Reality Check
In the middle of the joy surrounding the boat’s progress, the harsh reality of cancer knocked on the door once again. This past weekend, Will suffered a major health setback and had to be rushed to the emergency care unit at Children’s of Alabama.
The moments of happiness about the boat suddenly intertwined with the familiar fear of hospital waiting rooms. This is the true portrait of Will’s journey: one step forward in hope is often followed by two steps back in hardship. The Roberts family is currently “torn up” with worry, yet they refuse to let go of their faith.
Tonight, as Will lies in a hospital bed, that bass boat is being prepared somewhere out there. It sits like a lighthouse, waiting for him to recover and return home. We aren’t just praying for the boat to arrive in the Roberts’ driveway; we are praying for Will’s hands to be strong enough to steer it, for his legs to be steady enough to stand on the deck, and for his heart to be peaceful enough to soak in the love that built it.
The Power of Community Unity
Will Roberts’ story has traveled far beyond the borders of a small town in Alabama. It has become a symbol of the power of unity. When one member of the body hurts, the whole community feels the pain. When one child has a dream, the whole community picks up a hammer to build it.
The news that Will is receiving his boat is proof that love can triumph over fear. It teaches us that sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is not to weather the storm alone, but to have the courage to grab the hands reaching out to save you.
A Closing Prayer for Will
To Will, our warrior: Keep fighting just a little longer. Your boat is waiting. The calm waters and the fish are waiting for you. The entire world is standing behind you, sending the most powerful prayers to the gates of Heaven.
To the community: Thank you for giving more than just money—thank you for giving faith. You have shown us that no matter how cruel the world can be, kindness remains the most effective medicine.
We continue to hope, continue to believe in a miracle. So that one day soon, we will see a photo of a radiant Will Roberts, fishing rod in hand, gliding across the water in a boat woven together by a million prayers and a thousand acts of kindness.
Because with God, and with a community filled with love, nothing is impossible.
#WillStrong #LearningToReceive #BassBoatDream #MiracleForWill #AlabamaFaith #CommunityStrength #NeverGiveUp
