For the past month or so I have watched a family fight for their precious son to live. They opened up their family, their home and their hearts to hundreds of thousands of people on Facebook in order to bring awareness to Childhood Cancer and find a Cure. They have prayed fervently, relied heavily on their faith in Jesus Christ to get them through and have been such a shining light in a terrible darkness called “Cancer”.
People all over the world have rallied behind Lane Goodwin, his family and the children fighting this ugly spirit of cancer on a daily basis. From movie stars to baseball players and students to parents, this family has done exactly what they set out to do, build awareness of Childhood Cancer and rally the troops to find a cure so no other family has to go through it.
Last night Lane took his final breath here on this earth and his first breath in heaven as he walked into the arms of Jesus and was completely healed and made whole in an instant. My heart has such a burden for all those left behind and it brings up much grief for me since losing both my momma, who was my best friend and my older brother to this monster disease.
The Goodwin Family has started the Thumbs Up for Lane Goodwin Childhood Cancer Foundation and it’s mission is, “to support childhood cancer research through funding and advocacy while empowering families battling childhood cancer by providing education, financial assistance and a volunteer network.”
I ran across this poem last week when I was looking through all my old notes, printed poems, letters from God and testimonies of God’s faithfulness. When I heard the news about Lane I just felt led to share this. I hope that it speaks as loudly to your heart as it has mine.
It’s hard to explain but my heart is breaking for this precious family yet rejoices at the same time for Lane. I felt the same way when my mom and brother went onto eternity. This gut wrenching sense of loss mingled with this over whelming feeling of joy for them.
I’ll Lend You a Child by Edgar Guest
“I’ll lend you for a little time a
child of mine” He said.
“For you to love the while he lives,
and mourn for when he’s dead.
It may be six of seven years
or twenty-two or three.
But will you, “till I call him back,
take care of him for me?
He’ll bring his charms to gladden you
and should his stay be brief,
You’ll have his lovely memories
as solace for your grief.
I cannot promise he will stay,
since all from earth return:
But there are lessons taught down there
I want this child to learn.
I’ve looked the wide world over
in my search for teacher true
And from the throngs that crowd life’s loves,
I have selected you.
Now will you give him all your love,
nor think the labor vain
Nor hate me when I come to call
to take him back again?”
I fancied that I heard them say,
“Dear Lord, Thy will be done.
For all the joy Thy child shall bring,
the risk of grief we’ll run.”
We’ll shelter him with tenderness,
we’ll love him while we may.
But should the angels call for him
much sooner than we’d planned,
We’ll brave the bitter grief that comes
and try to understand.
Edgar Guest
Y’all Be Blessed,
Audrey
