Precious and Fleeting

Life is a precious but fleeting blessing.

Two days ago, a 14 year old girl in our community suddenly died after cheerleading practice. She told her friends that she felt dizzy and laid down on the school grass. She died there within minutes, apparently of cardiac arrest. School officials attempted to revive her with a defibrillator, to no avail.

Shauna was a sweet blonde with a warm girl-next-door smile. She was a Christian who attended Christian schools until this, her first year of high school. She had accepted Jesus as her Savior, so she's surely with Him now.

I'm not one to wonder what kind of God takes from us a bright, young girl.....but it causes me to wonder what He could possibly be thinking. Of course, this is where faith comes in....faith to truly know that in all things, God works for the good of all who know Him.

Please say a prayer for her parents and brothers, who must be shattered beyond imagination. And for her friends, too, especially those present when she passed on.

I heard about this yesterday from our 14 year old. And I gave her an extra hug or two, each time she left home today.
------------------------
And yet, God bestows blessings precious beyond words at the same time He takes away.

Our 8 month old granddaughter spent the day here today, and Ron had the day off, also. We took turns with Gabriela...playing, eating, napping, crawling, talking and giggling. Late this afternoon, Ron and Andrea took Gabriela and our dog for a long walk in the cool winter air.

I don't know what is it between grandparents and grandchildren. It's a corny cliche, full of truth: it's a deeply loving bond I never before knew existed. Maybe God saves this magical treat for middle age, because we're unable to appreciate it earlier in life. Her hugs fill unrecognized ancient aches for lost youth and for joy at the future.

Gabriela's innocent and full faith in us is the embodiment of the faith Jesus admonishes we need in Him, as "anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."
------------------------
Life, indeed, is a precious but fleeting blessing.