Oct 3, 2006

Up at 3 AM

Does God ever wake you up in the middle of the night with such an urging that you have no choice but to physically get up and have a chat with him. Well, it has happened to me on several occassions over the last 5 years. Sometimes I feel like God has a specific answer for me to a problem or situation I am facing, but have been too busy throughout the day to call on Him. At other times, I feel led to pray for people. This morning is the later.

Yesterday I met a young girl named Cynthia while visiting a friend's son at the hospital. Cynthia is a beautiful eleven year old with the most beautiful big eyes I have ever seen. She has attended our church, has several siblings, she lives with her grandmother because mom is out of the picture (let's just say, mom is busy with her own problems), and she has leaukemia. Did you hear that last part? She has leaukemia and it has spread throughout her body. The instant I met her I wanted to pick her up and hold her and tell her everything would be alright. I wanted to tell her that God loves her so much and He is holding her hand right now. I wanted to tell her that He loves her with an everlasting love and nothing with ever take that away. Instead, I just stood there smiling while my friend asked her how she was doing, and if we as a church could do anything special for her. I asked her a few questions, but I was so in shock that such a young beautiful child was literally being attacked by cancer at that very moment. She looked so healthy with a full set of long brown hair. I don't think they will even try treatment because it is everywhere. I don't have all the details, but I know she has had leaukemia in the past, and just recently it was found in her liver. On further testing, it has been found throughout the body. There isn't much to do, but keep her comfortable.

Now, I sit here and pray for Cynthia. I pray that she is not in pain. I pray that she knows God is near and holding her hand. I pray she knows He loves her with an everlasting love. All the things I couldn't say to her, I pray for her. I have been forever changed by meeting this little girl. I can't tell you how much I hugged my kids yesterday. I really listened to what they were saying and really questioned them about how their day went. Most of all, I thanked God for my own children. I praised him for their health and the hand He has on each of their lives.
Won't each of you out there take a minute to pray for Cynthia and her family? I know they would appreciate it.

11 comments:

Julie said...

I am literally crying as I type this. And yes, I prayed for Cynthia, bless her heart. Because MY daughter will be 11 in just 13 days. And SHE is healthy, thank you Jesus!

We have a couple in our church who just lost their precious 1-year old baby. She was born with brain trauma and struggled through out her 1-year life. And those parents suffered, but continued to trust and praise God. The funeral was just 2 days ago, and it was hard. Life is hard. And we don't always have all the answers. But we do know the ONE who has all the answers.

During the funeral they played the song "Held" by Natalie Grant and oh my gosh the whole church just sobbed.

I'm praying that Cynthia and her family are held by the Lord through out this. AND I am asking the Lord for mercy and healing.

Susanne said...

Praying for Cynthia and her grandma! And her mom! I pray she would feel the arms of Jesus wrapped around her.

Anonymous said...

praying...

Addie said...

Praying for Cynthia right now! How utterly heartbreaking.

Pamela said...

Susie, you have a wonderful sweet Christian spirit. Cynthia and her family have my heartfelt prayers. It is hard to see little ones suffer. Life is so precious, you have given us a wonderful reminder to give our loved ones and extra good hug, and let them know God loves us all, and he is so good. :)

Padre Reeds said...

For awhile I worked in a fairly isolated mission hospital in the african communal lands. A toddler girl came in so sick and dehydrated we couldn't find a vein for iv hydration so the nurse punched the iv into the shin bone. During all these needle sticks she was just staring at me with huge dry, sunken eyes, too sapped to do anything but wimper. I bonded with her during those few hours and prayed for her thru the night. She died the next a.m. anyway and I was so angry and hurt by what seemed such needless tragic suffering in innocence. Then a pastor gave me a bible verse that essentially said sometimes God takes the innocent to save them from future horrors. This actually made sense in the land of unpredictable politics, food/water sources, and hiv/disease. It applies here too.

Whether in this life or the next, she'll be rid of that cancer. We'll ask God to bring her at at His time to His place. Let's pray the absent mother sees the big picture and changes within. We'll pray for comfort for the grandma who'll hurt all the more if Cynthia leaves early.

Linda said...

Oh Susie, this is such a sweet post. Your heart is so tender and gentle. I will certainly pray for Cynthia. When we come face to face with such suffering it makes us so thankful for what we have. I don't understand the "whys" of things like this, but I have come to understand that I don't have to have all the answers. I must simply trust. Think how much God loves this sweet little girl that He would call you from sleep to pray for her. He is good and He is love.

Anonymous said...

Done.
Robin

Barb said...

It breaks my heart to hear something like this happening to such a sweet little girl. I'll pray for her and her family. So sad.

Anonymous said...

I too will say a prayer for her....
Jen

on the Rock said...

May Cynthia be lifted up in the comfort of the Holy Spirit and the power of God's presence.