There is a girl...you need to meet her.
There is a little girl you need to meet. Her name is Bella. Isabella Shoemaker, to be precise. We went to meet her last night in person. In many ways, we felt like we knew her already. We've heard so much about her...thought about her so much...so often...and prayed for her. A lot. Bella is the six-month old daughter of a friend of mine from work. Bella is a beautiful little girl with the sweetest smile and the loveliest disposition.
Bella has cancer; a very serious form of cancer called by a name I can't even pronounce, much less spell. It is a form of cancer in which a tumor on her brain, which is inoperable, is causing her head to swell and limiting (if not eliminating) her vision. The prognosis is not really all that good. Children with this form of cancer generally live between one and ten years. I told you it wasn't good.
The reason I'm telling you about this little girl is not to tug at your heart-strings (though if it doesn't, you either have none or it is time to have them changed), or to garner sympathy (though that's not a bad thing either). I'm telling you this because I believe this is not the end for Bella. I don't know this for a fact as I am not God (a thing my wife reminds me of regularly...just kidding.), but I do know a God who is in the healing business. I do know a God who is merciful and who hears the prayers of His people. He is also a sovereign God whose ways are higher than my own and often unknown to me, so His answer might be different than the one asked for. But we ask anyway.
That is the reason I would like for you to get to know Bella. I would like to ask you and those whom you know to pray for her. Often. Regularly. Fervently. Please pray for her mom and dad, too...Jennifer and Jerry. They are going through an experience all parents fear and no parent wants. Pray for strength and preseverance; faith and hope. They already have the love. You'll know this if you get to know Bella better.
So, without further ado, I'd like to introduce you to the lovely Bella Shoemaker. Be prepared...she just may steal your heart.
Note: If you can and would like to help financially, let me know and I can provide opportunities for you.
Bella has cancer; a very serious form of cancer called by a name I can't even pronounce, much less spell. It is a form of cancer in which a tumor on her brain, which is inoperable, is causing her head to swell and limiting (if not eliminating) her vision. The prognosis is not really all that good. Children with this form of cancer generally live between one and ten years. I told you it wasn't good.
The reason I'm telling you about this little girl is not to tug at your heart-strings (though if it doesn't, you either have none or it is time to have them changed), or to garner sympathy (though that's not a bad thing either). I'm telling you this because I believe this is not the end for Bella. I don't know this for a fact as I am not God (a thing my wife reminds me of regularly...just kidding.), but I do know a God who is in the healing business. I do know a God who is merciful and who hears the prayers of His people. He is also a sovereign God whose ways are higher than my own and often unknown to me, so His answer might be different than the one asked for. But we ask anyway.
That is the reason I would like for you to get to know Bella. I would like to ask you and those whom you know to pray for her. Often. Regularly. Fervently. Please pray for her mom and dad, too...Jennifer and Jerry. They are going through an experience all parents fear and no parent wants. Pray for strength and preseverance; faith and hope. They already have the love. You'll know this if you get to know Bella better.
So, without further ado, I'd like to introduce you to the lovely Bella Shoemaker. Be prepared...she just may steal your heart.
Note: If you can and would like to help financially, let me know and I can provide opportunities for you.
Labels: David C. Price
posted by DAVID C. PRICE at 1/03/2006 12:15:00 PM
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3 Comments:
Thanks for putting this post on. I have been convicted over the Christmas holiday about my need for increased and fervent prayer. I am thankful that we have a God that wants to communicate with us. We will continue prayer for Bella knowing that God loves his children.
I will also remember her in my prayers. We worship the God that says nothing is too hard for Him. We need to cling to that, believe it and remember it always.
A little over a year ago my son fell and hit his head on the corner of an end table in our home. He had a deep gash near his eye. We were fortunate that the Doc was able to use dermabond it(super glue for people), because as the Doc said nothing in the world is stronger than a 2 yr. old who doesn't want to be someplace.
There were 3 of us holding him down as they began to clean the wound. He was screaming and crying and yelling "Daddy! Daddy!!". It was terrible for me that I was helpless and could do nothing for him other that tell him I was there and it would be all right.
Shortly after the procedure was done I had an epiphany. I was thinking about how much anguish I felt watching my son laying on the table, so scared and in pain. It struck me--the incredible pain God must have felt watching his sinless Son die on a cross for a lot of sinners. Imagine His pain. Watching his Son die--the King of Kings--for us. He is an awesome God to do that for us.
My child's cut is nothing compared to the trials of your friends. But I just wanted to share that. Sorry it was so long and I hope and pray for them and their family.
The Zoner
David,
Bella is in our prayers. Please keep us updated for we believe great things will come.
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