Lessons From Layla
Like many of you, I have been touched in recent days by a little 2 year old girl named Layla Grace, in a fight for her life against neuroblastoma lymphoma cancer. Doctors have done all that they can and have now sent her home on hospice care to simply keep her comfortable in her final days. We, of course, continue to pray that God will choose to intervene and do for her what medicine cannot do. God has, and can, heal — and we will pray boldly for that as long as Layla has a breath in her body.
Lots of people have been touched by this precious girl, and there are understandably a lot of emotions, questions, and spiritual struggles from those who are following her story. In the coming days, I’m going to share some spiritual thoughts and truths that I hope will be a comfort and encouragement to those who are following Layla. I pray that you find them meaningful — and ask that you join me in praying for this precious girl and her family.
– Pastor Michael Meissner
LifeBridge Church, Cypress TX
March 3rd, 2010 at 9:08 pm
Pastor Michael, Thank you for these posts. My first connection with Layla's website was Feb 16th of this year. I think of Layla, her family, and the Lord's plan with His sweet little lamb several times a day that I feel like I have known this story a lot longer than the realistic 3 weeks. I am one of the many who struggle in understanding how such a sweet and beautiful child must go through such pain and not be able to grow up and experience all life has to offer. In my nightly kickboxing I even allow my mind to wander to this family and their battle. I even find myself apologizing to God for "hating' what is happening – giving every punch and kick I have such force because it's so unfair.
March 3rd, 2010 at 9:09 pm
Without giving an ounce of thought to the big picture, this is unfair, cruel, horrific torture for Layla, her family, and everyone following their story. At first I could barely bring myself to concentrate more than a few minutes a day without thinking of Layla Grace. I found myself challenging God to show me a miracle here on earth; to prove his existence and to give this precious little girl her life back, and give her back to her family.
Then I took a step back and thought, "how selfish can I be?" Why just heal Layla? What about all the other sick kids? How should God choose which ones to heal?
March 3rd, 2010 at 9:09 pm
Through FAITHFUL eyes…..through Layla…..how can we miss that this IS a miracle? Layla IS our miracle! God is proving his existence through Layla here on earth. She is carrying out her mission the Lord gave her – lead people to Jesus. Help his people find their faith. And is she ever succeeding! Layla is fighting through the pain to finish her job. Physically I can't imagine how hard it is for her family to watch Layla's short 2 years rapidly end. I pray they find peace and comfort in knowing that spiritually, she is alright. God is leading her to complete her journey, her task here on earth.
March 3rd, 2010 at 9:13 pm
My confirmation verse is Hebrews 11:1 – Faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see. Through Layla, I see my FAITH. I see God's miracle for all of us.
Kerri Witbeck
Birch Run, Michigan
March 3rd, 2010 at 11:47 pm
Pastor, thank you so much. This story has touched me in a way that I will never be able to explain, it has launched my faith to an ever higher degree. This little angel on earth is doing her job and amazingly so – she is leading people to the Lord! God bless her and her family, always.
Cassandra Ferder
Salem, OR
March 4th, 2010 at 7:17 am
Pastor Michael, Thank you for these posts. You have certainly put my feelings into words. My husband and I think of Layla many times throughout the day and we pray for a miracle. Many mornings I’d lay in bed wondering if the angels have taken her. Each time I would think of her I’d hug my daughter a little tighter. Layla has taught us to cherish the moments we have with one another and to just enjoy life.
I want to plan a country wide vigil for her using twitter, facebook, evite and anything else out there. I'd love for the entire country to light a candle for Layla and send a special prayer for her. Would you be able to assist? The date and time hasn't been set, but wanted to get some feedback. The sooner the better of course. We can all blast the info using all the time zones so we're all praying together all at the same time for our little angel.
Please let me know if you are interested.
God Bless,
Jackie
twitter: Jiliesmommy