I have read that between 150,000 and 250,000 people die each day. Most days I don't think about death and most days I would not know even one of that large number. But today is a day that death touched my world. Today my granddaughter, Leah Grace, died. Even to write those words seems hard. She lived for 99 days. That alone is a miracle since medically speaking she was not even supposed to make it to term much less live that many days. I am so thankful for 99 days. It wasn't enough time for her to accomplish very much physically and yet she may have accomplished more in those 99 days than most people would in 99 years. Her life and struggle became known to many many people. The lessons she taught me were significant, life-changing lessons.
Leah taught me about the value of life. God valued her life even though it was not perfect. Sometime in the last few weeks I read in Luke 18 about the time that the disciples rebuked people for bringing their babies to Jesus and Jesus replies, "don't forbid them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these". Now the kingdom of heaven does truly belong to Leah.
Leah taught me about the value of prayer. I truly believe Leah's gift of 99 days to her family was God's answer to many prayers. God orchestrated in a beautiful way both Leah's birth and her death. Lately we had prayed that Leah's death would be in the arms of a parent and it was. We prayed that both Luke & Kristine would be home with her when she passed and they were. We prayed that Kyla would not have to see the death of her little sister, she was at her other grandma's when Leah passed. We prayed that Luke and Kristine would reach a point of letting go and giving her 'permission' to go be with Jesus. Just the day before Kristine was able to tell Leah, "it's okay to go be with Jesus". Prayer is powerful.
Leah taught me of boldness. I have never been a very bold person in regards to sharing my faith. I'm still not, but Leah's life provided many opportunities to tell of God's faithfulness and love. It is because of our faith that we can endure and walk through this time. Leah was and is a door opener into people's spiritual lives.
Leah taught me of love and selflessness. Her whole live was a huge lesson on unconditional love. She needed total care and our love when she could give nothing in return. The sacrifices that Luke and Kristine made daily spoke volumes to me of the kind of love our heavenly Father has for us. Leah's life brought God glory in that He created her just as she was, it was in God's perfect plan that allowed us to have and love Leah Grace for 99 days.
Leah's life brought hope. The ultimate hope for believers in Jesus is an eternity in heaven. When Leah was first born and we did not think her life would be more than a few days, I was reading one day about King David in the Old Testament and the baby that was born to him and several days later died. He fasted and prayed while the baby lived and pleaded with God to spare his life. When he died, he got up, ate and went and sat in the temple and worshipped God. Those around him were surprised at his reaction but his response was, "the child will no longer come to me, but I will go to him". We will see Leah again in heaven. The reality and truth of that thought gives me comfort and hope.
Leah's life was a lesson in God's sovereignty. Before Leah was born, Luke and I had a dialogue about choices. There are choices we make in life that are high cost and choices that are low cost. Some things we choose have a great impact in life and some a very small impact. Who I choose to marry greatly affects the rest of my life. What I choose to eat for lunch probably only affects how much weight I gain! There are many things, though, where we have no choice in the matter -- God chooses for us. What happens especially in life and death is not our choice but God's choice for us. We did not choose to have Leah born this way. I love what Jim Elliott said years ago before he was martyred for his faith, "God always give his best to those who leave the choice with Him". We often like to think we are in control and that we can orchestrate our lives the way we want. Having a baby like Leah born is a reminder that God is sovereign. God's plan and purpose in Leah's life and death may not ever be fully realized until heaven but we know that He used her to change our hearts and impact many, many people's lives.
I know as time goes on and we move further away from this day certain memories will fade. Pain and grief over our loss will get easier. Forever, though, we will carry little Leah Grace in our hearts. She was greatly loved and will be greatly missed.
1 comment:
Hi! I came across your web page while I was trying to find out more information about HPE and Microcephaly. My daughter was born 6 week premature, with a micro deletion of chromosome 7, in additional to a midline cleft of her lip. We have an appointment next month for her very first MRI. Nerve racking as that already is, the MRI will either rule out of determine what type (if any) of HPE she may have. I believe strongly in prayer and believe with everything that is in me that God has saved my child and equiped her both physially and mentally with what she needs to progress His kingdom! I also have a 3 year daughter that was born of perfect health. I showed the picture of Leah to her and she said that is a picture of my sissy, my husband as well looked at the picture and thought it was our daughter. I would like to show you a picture of Evyn but could not figure out how to post it. I am incredibly sorry for your family's loss and can deeply understand and apprectiate the wonderful bond that is created in such a small amount of time! Bless you all!
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