With a heavy heart, I am grateful...

I sit here this morning with a reflective spirit.

My life is so rich and full. I have more than everything I could possibly need. My husband loves and cherishes me and my baby girl adores me. I serve a mighty God who is faithful and loving, taking care of our every need daily. My kitchen always has food, my electricity always runs, my car has gas in it and I have clothes to wear. I am in good health and I have a steady job in a rough economy. My family and friends support me, love me and take care of me. I am more than grateful. I am beyond blessed.

So why the heavy heart? I am undeserving of such an abundance of the beautiful gifts listed above. Again I say, my life is so rich and full. This morning, I read an email that informed me of the health status of a former student of mine. I have been following this student for several years, watching him battle through the unthinkable; beating the odds right and left, although with great trauma and difficulty. This boy passed his life expectancy over 6 years ago, and has continued to fight hard. The email was written by his mother, and more than any other message I have read of hers, this one tugged at my heart strings. She is a mother crying out for her son to be cured of his terminal illness, to have her happy boy back in her arms feeling full of life again. I cannot portray the depths of what this family has gone through with their son. He was a victim of fetal alcohol syndrome, and this family adopted him and raised him as one of their own. You might even know him as "Electron Boy" from Seattle - if you don't, you should google it and read more about him; it is truly a heartwarming story.

My heart is heavy because of the trials this family is being put through, along with so, so many other families all over the world. I want this family to feel the joy of their son being well. Meanwhile, I continue to pray for a divine miracle to happen for him. I am blessed to have a happy, healthy beautiful 1-year-old running around, full of energy and zest. I am grateful and count my blessings with the start of each new day. Life is too precious not to.