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Allie is a former neighbor and my boys’ favorite babysitter. She is the kind of young lady who would, every once in awhile, refuse payment, saying, “I just want to bless you.” Her ‘magic’ tricks kept the boys completely mesmerized. (I’m pretty sure this involved her hiding things behind her back and pulling them out with flourish, but what do I know?) My boys are teenagers now, older than Allie was when she babysat them.
And we owe her a debt of gratitude we can never repay. You see, my youngest son is here because of Allie.
Save a Life
One night when I came home from work, Allie told me that there had been an incident. She said that my son, who was almost 4 at the time, had choked on a piece of apple and was not passing air. Being trained in the Heimlich Maneuver, she performed it and the apple came out. After, she prayed with my boys and thanked God for his protection.
I went to bed that night thanking God as well. My husband was out of town for work, and I was overwhelmed at the thought of the tragedy we could be dealing with. Instead, my babies were sleeping soundly in their beds.
The next morning, I said to the boys, “Sounds like you had some excitement last night?” They looked at me with blank stares. “Cameron choked?” I prodded.
“Oh, yeah,” shrugged my older son, “Cam got a piece of apple stuck in his throat, but Allie got it out.” He then proceeded to tell me about the games they’d played and fun they’d had with her.
This remarkable young lady had the God-given grace to turn a scary situation into a blip in their night of fun . How do you repay that? Thanks, gifts, flowers. Done, but insufficient.
We still can’t repay Allie, but I’d like to ask that you help me take a step in that direction. I recently told you that I’m praying for you (I still am, by the way). Well, I’d like to ask that you would pray for Allie with me. You see, she’s not doing so well these days.
In the past few years, Allie has endured two brain surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation, and more. She decided this week to stop her treatments and initiate hospice care. Allie is 26.
Hope is Hard
It hit me this morning that maybe the athiests have it easier. I mean, if you have nothing in which to place your faith, and you exist in a perpetual state of hopelessness, you’re never disappointed, right? If everything is just a matter of time and chance then not only must you expect that the worst things to happen sometimes, but when they do there is no internal struggle.
What’s the saying? “S*** Happens”? And without faith, when it does, your Godless worldview insists that you accept it without hope of a miracle. No hope = no disappointment.
And yet, no hope also equals no chance. No possibility. No future. I’ll take hope.
Still, hope isn’t easy. Hope keeps our hearts soft and expectant. A soft heart can continue to be hurt. And when our hearts are breaking, a hard heart might seem like a blessing. I’ll take hope anyway.
Why? Because our hope is in a God who is able. This is the God who spoke it and it was. The God who defied the laws of nature time and time again. He is strong and kind and worthy!
It seems like evil is gaining ground in this world every day. But knowing that doesn’t make it any easier to bear. We have neighbors who have had two children battle and beat cancer. Years of carrying those burdens, with hope. Other friends have recently had to decide to remove a large tumor from the center of their 11 year old daughter’s brain. No parenting book prepares you for that, but we hope with them. And Allie’s family is hoping while honoring her choice to stop her radiation and chemotherapy treatments.
All of these choices we shouldn’t have to make. Something within us knows that this is not the world God intends for us, and we long for that world. We hope for it even while our hearts break.
I can’t repay Allie for saving my son’s life. But I will pray that our good God reaches into our broken world and saves hers. I know he can.
Will you pray with me?
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Update (2/20/18):
A light went out today. Our sweet friend Allie, whom many of you have prayed for as she battled the cancer in her brain, died this morning. We wept as we prayed for her family, and wept even more when we realized that the overwhelming grief of losing a child could have been ours if not for Allie being in just the right place to prevent it so many years ago.
When I think about living with purpose, responding to the fact that someone saved your life, I’m reminded that each of us is in that position. Jesus saved us. He saved you. If that doesn’t give some motivation to live a life of purpose, I don’t know what does. Allie was a vibrant force and an inspiration to live a life of purpose, and we’re so blessed to have been in her path.
Helene says
December 4, 2017 at 8:26 amPraying now!
Donna says
December 4, 2017 at 8:40 amYes, I’ll be praying!!!!
Amy says
December 4, 2017 at 9:32 amAbsolutely! A beautiful testimony!
Tawnya says
December 4, 2017 at 9:42 amPraying for this beautiful young lady. Our God is all powerful, faithful and good.
Kelsey says
December 4, 2017 at 9:11 pmPraying for Allie. It’s so true that hope is vulnerable that it can be scary to choose it. One of my favorite singers, JJ Heller puts it well in her song “Sound of a Living Heart” when she sings:
I could hide myself away
Somewhere safe
Far from pain
But if I refuse to feel
I’ll never bleed
But I’ll never heal
Susan says
December 4, 2017 at 11:05 pmWhat lovely lyrics. Thank you for sharing them.
Barbara Girdley says
December 6, 2017 at 5:19 amPraying for beautiful Allie. How is she doing today? Can we come sing Christmas carols with her? How old is she now? What is her prognosis? Where does she live? My heart goes out to her. I lost my husband one year ago today. We sang together. We brought music into local nursing homes and coffeehouses. We started our own Christian coffeehouse two years ago. I continue to keep this coffeehouse going. Saturday was the most recent coffeehouse. It was amazing! The holy spirit was on fire! God has blessed our Open Door Coffeehouse. I’m sending beautiful Allie my love and prayers. Please let me know what I can do for this angel.
Barb 🎄
Susan says
December 6, 2017 at 9:31 amHi Barbara, First, I’m so sorry for your loss. What a lovely ministry you and your husband developed. May God use it to his glory! Regarding Allie, I have not received an update since I heard that she was initiating hospice care over the weekend. She lives in Minnesota, not far from me. Her family is very close and I know they are spending time together, as well as with her fiancee. The local Chick fil A is hosting a rally on December 14th to help support the family, as well. Thank you for your heart, for your ministry, and for your prayers for this dear young lady. Blessings–
Katrina says
December 6, 2017 at 9:36 amWill definitely send my prayers your way! Cancer is a hard experience to endure — my mother had breast cancer last year and I’ll never forget what our family went through. Thankfully my mom is in remission now. Even in the darkest of moments, remember that every season has its purpose. Look at the wonderful community that is rallying around Allie, look at the power of prayer in such large numbers, and look at how easily you turned to hope when you could have turned to fear and anger. Even in these tough times, these are things to recognize as beautiful, and be grateful for. All my best to all of you!
Susan says
December 6, 2017 at 2:05 pmPraise God for your mother’s remission. What a relief and blessing that is! Thank you for your thoughts. They are true and encouraging. <3
Shirlene says
December 8, 2017 at 6:19 pmNot sure where life is for Allie. I prayed to God for his will and thanked him for the blessing of this young lady in your life as well as all those she has touched. What an amazing and encouraging testimony. God bless you Susan with peace that comes from our heavenly father.
Susan says
December 8, 2017 at 7:00 pmThanks, Shirlene. Since hearing that she’s chosen to end her treatments, I haven’t gotten an update. Her family is very close, so I’m sure she’s spending her time with them and her fiancee. Our local Chick-fil-A is hosting a rally for her to help with medical costs this coming week. She really is a gem. I appreciate your kind words. <3
Patricia Havens says
December 9, 2017 at 12:09 amI am praying that the Lord’s will will be done at the same time praying for a miracle healing for a remarkable young woman that by all accounts is already in heavenly places here on this earth. I am praying for her family and friends that our Lord Jesus will grant them grace and the ability to accept His will whatever it may be. I am praying for clarity of thought and pain free time for this young woman. And I am praising Him for such a gift of this young woman that has touched so many lives. He is the Great Physician so whatever happens will be in His perfect will for Allie . And I am thanking Him for the opportunity to pray for this young lady and for you who has asked us to pray with you. It is an honor to do so.
Susan says
December 9, 2017 at 9:23 amThank you, Patricia, for your prayers and kind words. Blessings to you–
Katelyn says
December 11, 2017 at 8:39 pmPraying for her and all of you during this time!
Julie Lindquist says
December 11, 2017 at 10:35 pmPraying and hoping
Peter Funder says
December 12, 2017 at 4:42 pmI know , and believe God can also. I will pray with you, and may the Lords will be done. All Glory be to you God now and forever.
Rosz says
January 8, 2018 at 2:39 pmHello,just read this for the first time since I don’t have an update on Aloe I’m praying and so sorry about this. I’m heartbroken for her and her family and friend’s and you and your family. I lost my dear brother two years ago this January 24th. His was in his stomach and inoperable because it was wrapped around his intestines and organs. I think cancer is Satan’s middle name. Please keep us updated. Thanks Rosz
Susan says
January 8, 2018 at 7:29 pmRosz – So sorry for your loss of your brother. You are right that cancer is a physical sign of this evil world in which we live. It’s hard to imagine a world without illness and pain, but I sure am looking forward to it! Allie is spending time with her family these days. They have opened their home for ‘worship therapy’ on occasion, and our local Chick-fil-A hosted an evening in Allie’s honor to help supplement their medical expenses. The turnout was really overwhelming. Thanks for your prayers. Be blessed –