Thankful

For a while now, my kids and I have been praying for a little girl named Kate. She has brain cancer. I can't explain why, but I feel so drawn to her and her story. Maybe because I have a son that's her age, just five years old. When I read about her battle with this evil disease I feel so sad for them. Sad for this little one who can't enjoy being a kid right now because she is battling for her life. I'm sad that her family is helpless as they sit and watch her cry out in pain, not understanding how or why this is happening to her. I'm sad that their life is now hospitals and chemo and tests all the time. Her parents are such a testimony to the Lord. They cry out to Him constantly to heal their daughter and to help them through this nightmare. In the midst of the most horrific pain imaginable, they run TO our Lord, not away from Him. They pray for His glory to come through this and the salvation of many. I wonder if I would react the same way were it my son in Kate's place.

So, on the flip side of this sadness comes the overwhelming feeling of thankfulness. I am thankful that all three of my kids are healthy, happy and able to run and play. I am thankful for all the little things; the pictures they draw, the funny things they say, the love they show for others. I am thankful that we have a home and all the necessities of life. I'm not naive enough to think that nothing bad can ever happen to them, but I am so thankful that God is in control. That He either causes or allows all things to happen. I'm thankful that if He is concerned with a lowly sparrow, how much more so is He concerned for us, His children. Above all, I am thankful for His Son and the sacrifice He made so that we may know God and be saved.

So, will you join me in praying for Kate? Pray for her complete healing. Pray that her body would fully recover from the effects of the cancer and the meds that it takes to fight it. Pray that she would have her childhood restored to her. And pray that God would hold this entire family in the palm of His hand. For more info on Kate, go to:http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/mcraekate/journal.