Inspiration from a tiny life preserved

I am a little girl who is alive. My parents chose not to end my life in the womb like so many others do when they are told bad news by doctors. My mom and dad were told that if I live, I will be abnormal, but what is normal? I am alive.

When I arrived they came and said, "she is pink and crying." I heard the news caused a lot of joy. Later, the doctor came out into the waiting room and told my grandparents, "she is a 1 percent baby," meaning perhaps the other 99 percent do not make it? I am happy to be a 1 percent baby. My mom and dad are so full of joy and love for me.

God has purposed my life this way and He has chose my mom and dad for me. He knew that through all their pain and grief in the past, I was just the gift they needed. Last year, when my brother died, the words of Psalm 126:5 came to my grandfather, "those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy." This has certainly been true.

Six days after I was born, I had surgery. They shaved off all my new hair and put it in a a baggie for my parents. That was an expensive haircut. I came through that surgery with flying colors. I may have more surgeries ahead of me. But that doesn't matter because hundreds of Christians are talking to God about me.

My mom and dad have a lot of discovery ahead, but they are learning to take one day at a time. Most people have never heard of my life challenges, but there are many people in this world with hills similar to mine to climb.

I am a beautiful little girl, I am fearfully and wonderfully made; what You did, God, is wonderful and I know that full well. I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days that have been ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be.

Why my brother Caleb did not spend just one day alive on this earth, we will never know. One day my mom and dad will take me to see his gravestone and perhaps, as these days go by, his absence will become less and less painful for them.

I am thankful for being alive and thankful that my mommy and daddy are so in love with me.

The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 1:3, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God."

"My mom and dad and grandparents have received abundant compassion and comfort from God through the lives and prayers of God's people. Perhaps today, you are needing the comfort and compassion of God. Let others know when you are distressed.

My daddy wrote these words, "Thank you for praying for our little baby. I am sure that the Lord's hands have been protecting her and guiding the surgeons' hands today."

Do you need the guidance of God in your life today?

• This column is an allegory based on Pastor Ben Fleming's granddaughter. He is the pastor of Silver Hills Community Church and a member of the Carson City Ministerial Association.