Friday, April 2, 2010

get out your kleenex

Hi friends. I just wanted to share this email with you that I received yesterday from a blog reader. I asked if I could share it first. :)

Hi Patrice,

I happened upon your blog a few weeks ago and I was immediately smitten by Jonah. I went back and read from the very beginning. I’ve smiled, laughed and cried and “seen” the miracle of Jesus in action. I had never heard of EB before finding your blog and I can’t tell you how heartbroken I am to know that such a condition exists. I have used your words and Jonah’s pictures to help educate my six year old daughter on not judging a book by its cover, so to speak. She’s such a tender soul and has been so moved by Jonah’s fight that she stood up in chapel at school the other week and told everyone about Jonah. (They always go around and share a recent prayer so others may pray for them as well.) Her teacher called me at work and expressed how moved everyone was by her words. When she came home that day, she told me what she said. I thought you might enjoy it knowing what an impact Jonah is having on the world, one reader at a time.

Jonah’s Story by Megan, 6 years old.

“My Mommy reads this website about this little baby who has this skin problem. His skin is so sensitive that if you touch it too hard it gets blisters and they sometimes bleed. His name is Jonah and he’s really cute. He has blonde hair and big blue eyes and has to wear bandages all the time, even in the summer when it’s hot. Jonah has a big brother Gabe who had the same problem. He went to live with Jesus before he was born. Sometimes Jonah has blisters all over his face and people stare at him like he has germs. My Mommy and I talked about how that is mean and makes people sad. I’m sad for Jonah and I don’t understand why God made Jonah have blisters. It’s just not fair. My family prays for Jonah every night and I hope we can start to pray for him at school too. Maybe we can even donate our offering to the people that are working on a medicine for kids like Jonah. That would be great!”

So... that was the email. Are you sobbing yet? Oh, just me? I got this email first on my phone and was attempting to read it aloud to Matt in the car. But when I got to the part about Gabe, I completely lost it. And then I got it together. And then when I got to the part about people staring at him like he has germs and that making people sad, I lost it again. And then I got it together. And then when I got to the part... well, you get the idea.

I should NOT have worn mascara yesterday.

Can you believe this six year old little girl got up in front of everyone and told Jonah's story SO perfectly? It's like she summed up everything I feel and everything I want and hope for Jonah in little six year old words that were just PERFECT. It continues to amaze me how children so easily and innocently just seem to get things.

Thank you, Megan, for praying for Jonah and for telling his story. God is using you in a big way, and I hope one day you and Jonah get to meet. Maybe when he comes down for his very first Braves game? His daddy would LOVE that.

20 comments:

Thomas and Jamie said...

Kids just have SUCH A WONDERFUL WAY of taking out all the CRAP and explaining things crystal clear. Oh to have that kind of mind again. We are SO constantly reminded of what God really meant when He said all it takes is FAITH LIKE A CHILD!! BEAUTIFUL!

Jessica K. said...

I have no words! That email was just perfect!!

Laura A said...

"...and a little child shall lead them..."

Kids are so amazing and so transparent, aren't they? How sweet of Megan to share this! And really, it's even more amazing that, as a 6-year-old, she could articulate EVERYTHING so well. God spoke through Megan that day!

Thank you so much for sharing this - and also thanks for the Kleenex alert!

Hope you and Matt and sweet Jonah are having a wonderful Easter weekend!

Love from TX!
Laura

Colleen said...

How precious! I have to say my 4 year old often asks about little Jonah as she has seen me reading your blog. She doesn't fully understand but knows he is "sick" and I explain to her how cute he is and how he is the same age as her brother. I definitely don't feel that Jonah is a subject for my daughter to learn about but I do want her to learn that people are different and she should be accepting of everyone. Jonah is one of the cutest little boys out there! It's nice to read that others teach their children as this woman is teaching her child.

The Fishers said...

That is beautiful! Children have such an innocence about them that we could all learn from. Thank you for sharing that with us.

Linda said...

Thanks for the kleenex alert. What a beautiful email. That Megan is something else, kind of like my Meghann. (Leah's Mommy)
Hope your family has a wonderful Easter. Take care. Love you guys. Love Leah's Nana

Unknown said...

as little chilldren we are to come..... maybe this is why..............they are smarter then we many times.............

Shan said...

Amazing! This is why I love kids. They just..feel. They don't have to think it through or go through filters to explain themselves.

Shari said...

Yep, I needed some Kleenex today. That Momma is doing a blessed work in her little girl! I can see great potential for her in the future as her Mom is teaching her compassion. A trait Jesus displayed every day while He was here on earth.

Anonymous said...

Thank God for the pure and innocent hearts of children!

What a wonderful mommy that teaches her children to love ALL of us...and to see what is really important in this world.

I have no doubt that Jonah will bring many many people to know the Lord in his lifetime. His purpose for suffering is so apparant even if it is hard to understand.

Faith like a child...what an amazing and awe-inspiring thing!

Mindy

Unknown said...

Amazing. That's all I can say.

Anita Johnson said...

This is a lesson for us all. Praying for your health and Jonah's too. A follower from Wisconsin

Kelli said...

This...made my day!! Thanks so much for sharing. We LOVE Jonah and pray for him always! What a precious child with a tender heart!

Unknown said...

What a perceptive and precious little girl. She got it right, Jonah has touched many, myself and family included.

Keeping you all in our prayers.

The Bad Witch said...

THAT was beautiful. I love reading your blog Patrice. I feel so privileged that you have let "us" into your life. It's also obvious that God has big plans for Jonah, you and Matt. I can't wait to read as amazing things unravel for you all. Have a BLESSED Easter.

Ellen said...

WOW!!!! What a wonderfully special little 6 yr old she is! Her future is going to hold some very special things for her!! My God bless her and never change her wonderful selfless caring self!!She is amazing!! And thank you for sharing that story with us!!

Sara said...

Oh wow, I am moved by her sweet words! And you are right, she is using Megan in a big way, God bless her!
Hope you all have a Happy Easter!

Sara said...

I meant to say "HE is using Megan in a big way!" Oops!

Anonymous said...

speechless

much love to you and a big hug!

kristi said...

love that!