He Thought He Was Going To Have To Give It All In Order To Save Her

Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liz who was suffering from a rare and serious disease. Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her 5-year old brother, who had
miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness. The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the little boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister.
I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, "Yes, I'll do it if it will save her." As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did, seeing the color returning to her cheek. Then his face
grew pale and his smile faded.

He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, "Will I start to die right away?"


Being young, the little boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going to have to give his sister all of his blood in order to save her.

And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.

Matthew 18:1-6, 10-14

On a Happier Note





I've spent the last couple of days telling you about my experiences working with children who have been abused or neglected.  I debated about sharing the stories of some of my kids, but I thought it was important that you understand why the issue is so important to me.  So let me finish the topic with the rest of the story.

My first kiddo, the one who's step-mother beat him with a belt, still checks in with me once in a while.  He is now a man of thirty-three years of age.  He graduated from high school (unlike most of the rest of his siblings) and went on to join the National Guard.  After two years of college, he took a job building homes and married a nice girl.  They now have two children of their own and are very happily married.  He has taken his experiences and has used them to build a positive life.  Like the phoenix he has come from the ashes of his youth and become a remarkable young man and father.  I am so proud of him!

He likes to credit me with his life.  Please understand, I take NO credit.  He chose, early on, to learn from the mistakes his parents made and to do better with his life.  I am absolutely amazed every time I talk to him at what a remarkable person he is.  Thank God for touching his heart and soul in a way that turned all the bad into such good!  You see, it is possible to mend these broken souls.  With time, love, and tender care we can help them find a love of themselves that otherwise would not be possible.

Part of the work that we did with the young people was to build a trusting relationship.  In most cases, this is something these young people have never had.  Through our time with them, we joined them in youth groups and Sunday schools.  We attended school functions and took long walks.  We talked about healing their bodies and their souls.  But mostly we listened.  We gave them a safe place to be and to share. 

Not all of these kids came from "bad" families, in fact, the majority of them came from families that were leaders in their communities.  They came from small town America, Nebraska.  What could be safer?  Unfortunately, there is no "safe" place; I'm not sure that there ever really was.  I always felt safe in the town I grew up in, but I knew there were kids who had less than I did and whose lives had problems.  It just didn't touch my life most of the time.  I was lucky.

I want to encourage you one more time to find a way to do something to help a child.  Not all of my kids have had the happy ending that this one did, but we never know which ones we'll touch and which we won't, so why risk it?  Become a mentor, volunteer in a youth organization, become a Sunday school teacher, take the child next door for ice cream.  Find some way to make a child feel special.  It really takes so very little.  You'll never know what difference it made for that young person, but believe me, it does make a difference!


If you're not comfortable with kids, that's OK.  Find an organization to donate to, or volunteer in their offices.  There is a way that you can help.  Find it.  Do it.  Today!

Thanks for listening!
Blessings to you!