For Such A Time As This....

Does anybody remember the old LDS musical, "Saturday's Warrior's"? I can sing every word of every song. And as I write this post I hear the words....."Who are these children coming down? Coming down like gentle rain through darkened skies? With glory trailing from their feet as the go. And endless promise in their eyes."

I have felt extremely blessed this week for the health of my children. And today when I received an e-mail from my friend, Katrina, the emotions overflowed. She sent a picture of her niece, who is just a few years old, and has cancer. It was an adorable photo of a completely bald, chubby-cheeked little doll, in sunglasses. Katrina was thanking those who had helped raise money for the little girls family. Why does this little one have to endure this? Why do her parents have this challenge? I do not know. But I do know that we are so so blessed to live in these modern times. An age where technology and medical discoveries are able to save this little girls life. Had she been born during a previous generation, she may not have had a chance at life beyond cancer.

My niece, Maddie, turned five years old this week. She is a walking miracle. She has a very rare disease, and was the youngest diagnosed in the world, when she was a baby. Why does she have to endure the disappointment of not being able to run as fast as other children? Why does she have to live every day of her life with shots? Why do her parents have to? I do not know. But I do know that were she born in another time, even another place, her chances of life as we know it would be grim. Again, the miracle of modern technology and medical research are giving this little girl life. Because of her miracle medications, she is able to live a life worlds beyond what those before her, with the same diagnosis have been able to do. She was clearly born For Such A Time As This.

I think of my twin nephews, Clint and Cole, who are two years old. They have been diagnosed as having Angelman's syndrome. Why? Why were they chosen to have to live life this different way? Why do my brother and his wife have to deal with the heartache of this challenge? I do not know. But I do know that because of modern medical scientific genetic research, they were able to confirm a solid diagnosis. A diagnosis that is hard to swallow, but takes some of the worry of the unknown away, and replaces it with a direction to move in. A diagnosis that explains so much. A diagnosis that gives them an idea of what to expect for their sweet boys lives. And although there is no cure, there are small miracles. Those little boys push a button on a "toy" that says "Mom, I need you", when they want their mom. The first of many ways they will be able to communicate, because of the modern age we live in.

This past Sunday I was attending another ward Primary Program, for my calling in the stake Primary. The Primary chorister, who is a incredible man, had three children of his own in the primary. Three children who all have autism. From moderate to severe autism. This same man brought his 11 year old autistic son to the scout day camp we had this past summer. To give you an idea of the reality of his life, at one point, he had to go behind the building to change his sons diaper on the lawn. Last Sunday, like every other day, his son wore his PJ's to church. Why? Why does this couple have to endure the challenge of not one autistic child, but three? Why do these children have to be in a body that will not let them communicate like the rest of us do? I absolutely do not know. But I do know that modern technology is a miracle, and I saw again Sunday how it is so. The chorister brought his autistic son, in pajamas, to the podium. The same son who plugged his ears during many of the songs. They had a special computer device with them. They held it to the microphone and played a recording of the boy giving his testimony with the help of communicating through this device. I'm not sure there was a dry eye in the room as we listened to this boy "tell" us what he knows, how he feels about being so different, what he likes to do, and how he knows Heavenly Father loves him. For Such a Time As This......to think that years ago doctors would have suggested institutionalizing a child like this. Like most people in the chapel that day, I will never forget what I saw and heard. The mother of these children was on the row behind me. I do not know her. But several times throughout the meeting, I thought how days like this must be so hard for her. So heartbreaking to see your three children on the stand with so many other "normal" children. Not so. So not so. More than once I turned around to look at her and she was absolutely shining with pride, just like every other parent in the congregation. And the tears streamed down her cheeks as she "heard" her autistic son bear his testimony. Days like this are clearly a celebration for this family.

My children have their challenges, yes. We deal with our own minor diagnosis, on a daily basis. Modern research has made our road with Logan a more smooth one. I know we are so blessed that our children are as healthy as they are. Blessed that their future looks bright and that there are no limits to what they can achieve in this life. Knowing what these other parents are up against every day of their lives, leaves me speechless. Leaves me feeling guilty for thinking my own road has been rough. Leaves me feeling more blessed than I deserve to be. The challenges of these other peoples lives, bless my life. I can wonder where God is, and why these children were born the way they were. Or I can know exactly where God is, and see his blessings poured out on these families in many ones....only one of which is being born in this modern age. I do believe these incredible spirits were held back For Such A Time As This......to bless the lives of those around them. They bless me, and my cup truly runneth over.