It's been a hard few days for my family. My cousin Dylan, who is now ten, was diagnosed with brain cancer five years ago. For the last five years he has been battling tumors that have taken over his body in several places, and he has been a victor on numerous occassions. No one could have imagined he would have smashed this cancer so many times, for such a long time. He is such a champ. He's had it rougher than most people have in 80 years of living, and he is a little boy. If you met Dylan, though, you wouldn't see a little boy with cancer. You would see a hilarious, strong, high energy, fun loving brother, son, and cousin who loves Ben 10. So many times I've sat and watched him wrestle with my brother (who is 24) for long periods of time, only stopping because Stuart is too tired. The kid is tough.
Yesterday, Dylan's family (also my family) found out after a long week of seizures and hospitalization that the tumors have covered his brain and the situation is very bad- worse than it has ever been. After such a long battle, it's heartbreaking to hear this. I don't know everything about the situation, but I do know they are beginning some palliative radiation, to at least bring him some comfort. Everyone is very sad- the doctors and my family- in a way that is more serious than ever before. I pray for Dylan. I pray for Dylan so hard, so so so hard- that the Lord would heal him, that he would be comforted, that he would be strong. I love him and he is my cousin, but I can't imagine how my aunt and uncle feel, how his brother, Chandler feels... how Dylan feels. I've been hanging on to this passage lately:
"Jesus said, 'Let the little 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." Mark 10:14-16
Even in this heartbreaking time, I rejoice in knowing that the Jesus who took the little children in His arms and blessed them is the same Jesus who is doing that now. My prayer is that he would take Dylan, and our whole family, into his arms and bless us. I trust that He is all powerful, but more importantly, that He is good, whatever His will may be. I know that His love for all of His children has conquered death, and that is the only hope we can cling to, in any and every season.
