I do not claim to have THE answer but I do have a lot of thoughts about this. I've mulled this over in my mind many times in the past but never to the extent as recently. I have a little girl named Lily Grace to thank for this.
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| Lily Grace, age 4 |
A little girl from China, orphaned and classified as "terminal" based on so many medical conditions touched my soul. Adopted two years ago, she has had four open heart surgeries during this time span and now has received a gift that surpasses all others...a new heart. And we (I) ask why.
Some schools of thought suggest that before a soul comes into the human experience, they choose the "lesson" they are to learn in this Earth School. Makes sense to me because there is no way I could believe a loving God would choose this for anyone. Maybe Lily knew she had a purpose bigger than being a cute toddler. Maybe she knew that this health challenge would bring together over 5,000 Facebook friends from all over the world. Maybe she knew that people of all faiths would join in prayer to bring love and healing to her. Maybe, just maybe, her journey is on a fast-track to bring healing to this world in ways none of us could possible fathom.
What about the child who is no longer having a human experience? What about the family who is grieving the loss of their child yet generous enough to give a heart to another? Sad. Very sad. Maybe this is part of a much grander scheme than we can imagine. It is said a child shall lead. Maybe these two little ones are leading all the adults who think they know.
Lily is just one of many children who touch our souls. We read about children every day who surmount all odds and survive challenges that we find difficult to understand. We also read about children who bravely leave this human experience but leave a legacy that shall stand into eternity.
To all the parents who have a child or children who are experiencing health or emotional challenges, I suggest that maybe you are blessed. No, it isn't easy. No, it isn't fun. But maybe your child has chosen you to give you an experience of divine bliss. Our children get to us by birth or adoption or fostering. And maybe even just being there for the child down the street who needs a loving and supportive adult in their life.
From this moment on, I shall continue to pray for Lily and the soul who's heart now beats in Lily's chest. I shall also pray for all the children who have chosen (yes, chosen) the difficult road. I shall also pray for those who are traveling with them along this road.
I leave you with this from Ecclesiastes 3:
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
For those of you who would like to follow along with Lily's journey, there is an open group on Facebook:
Praying for Lily
Namaste,
Mareda
