Madi's Story

Usually, these devotions are about my story, but today I’m writing about someone else’s. About a girl whose faith and love for God are bigger than anyone, I've ever met. For those that follow me and don’t know, there’s a 15-year-old girl that I've grown up with going to church with. We’ve been in the same Sunday school for a while, and she lights up any room she walks into. Two years ago, she got diagnosed with cancer, but you wouldn’t know it by her attitude, she was always so happy anytime you saw her. A few weekends ago she went to Duke, not expecting to live much longer. She’s still alive today, something the doctors can’t explain. But she knows, she’ll tell anyone who listens that it was God. Now, she’s not in the clear, we don’t know what’s going to happen, only God does.  To be honest, when I found out I was mad, I was mad because I knew God had great things for her and I didn’t understand why he would let this happen to such a sweet human being. But God showed me that he was already doing great things through her. All this little girl is worried about is telling her story so that others can come to know Jesus. I don’t know of any 15-year-old who would have that mindset, I mean I’m not even sure I would if I were in her shoes. This past week I have seen God work in ways I didn’t know he could. My community banded together; in a way I’ve never experienced in my 21 years on this earth. Back home they banded together, to pray for her and to comfort each other. And not only have I seen this in my home community, but I've also seen this in the Christian community. I’ve seen posts from people all across the country about how they’re praying for her. This week I learned what true community was and how important it is. I also learned that God can use any situation for his glory. So, for those of you that don’t know Jesus, I encourage you to reach out to him. He’s waiting, ready to listen to your struggles, ready to help with the pain you're feeling. Becoming a child of the one True King is the best thing you could ever do in your life. Just ask Madi. 

 And to sweet Madi. Thank you so much for sharing your faith during this difficult time. Your story has touched so many lives including mine. I don’t know what God has in store for you, but I know miracles still happen and you have a family behind you praying for you. So, thank you for sharing your story, you may not see the impact it has on one person's life, but I know God is using it to reach the lost, all because you stood firm in the faith.