Posted on 01/28/2007 10:19:22 PM PST by goldstategop
''It was a lucky break.'' That is an amazing way for a 12-year-old to describe a broken leg that led to the discovery of her malignant bone cancer.
Her name is Julia Wagner. And two days before she entered the seventh grade last August, she was jumping with her brothers on their trampoline when she fell off and completely snapped her leg.
When the doctor examined her X-ray, he discovered an even greater danger needing medical intervention – a bone tumor at the very point of the fissure. Like a needle in a haystack, it was a miraculous find through an unfortunate youngster's leg rupture.
A family's faith in sorrow
The news of course overwhelmed the family. As Julia's single mom Christina explained, "One day she was looking forward to school; next thing you know, we're told she has cancer and she can't go to school."
To add difficulty to sorrow, the Fort Bend Herald reported:
Just hours before Julia broke her leg, her youngest brother, Joshua, arrived home from the hospital after days of recovering from surgery for pyloric stenosis, a disease that causes severe vomiting and is similar to reflux disease. Joshua was less than 1-month-old at the time of the operation to correct his condition by widening the opening from the stomach to the intestines. His condition is also thought to have a genetic predisposition.
On Jan. 10, more than 3 months after the accident, when doctors detached the apparatus of pins, rods and clamps from Julia, her leg was still broken. As a result, she was placed in a full body cast and a hospital bed in her grandmother's home, where her family lives and she's still recovering.
Last week's news that Julia would receive a prosthetic bone and knee brought hope to this courageous young woman and her family. With her 14th of 33 chemo treatments put on hold because of this restorative surgery, they will also examine a potential pulmonary legion possibly linked to the osteosarcoma, the sixth-foremost cancer that assaults children under 15.
Julia's situation is so pressing that Make-A-Wish Foundation has granted her wish to have a quinceañera-like party, a Spanish-based festival that uniquely celebrates a young woman's 15th birthday.
How do you spell world peace?
I heard of this story about Julia as I was contemplating the publication of an article with my views on war and peace in our world. Suddenly it came to me: there it is! Or should I say, there she is.
While the world grapples over Middle East dilemmas, hurls blame at presidents and governmental predecessors, and seeks solutions from sophisticated strategists, in the end the best answers might be so simple a 12-year-old can understand them.
Julia not only has the answers, she's living them out.
(1) Think of others first.
It's amazing to me that, even in the midst of her trials, 12-year-old Julia has a dream, not for her own recovery, but for the well-being of others. She wants to establish a foundation for osteosarcoma patients.
Julia's selflessness reminds me that, though we should be mindful of our interests, we need not consider them to the exclusion of others. An ''others first'' mentality can resolve domestic fights, neighborhood turf wars, tribal disputes, and even international crises.
There's a lesson in there for America too. As important as it is to secure our democracy, and even share its fruits with others, we must be more mindful in the future that our form of government is bittersweet to many and not the all-inclusive remedy to world affairs that it is for some of us.
(2) Good can come from difficulty and even tragedy.
''It was a lucky break,'' Julia proclaimed. Even her mom said, ''It was a blessing in disguise.'' Instead of blaming God, they thanked him for the difficulty.
I wonder how much other heartache, even on a national and international scale, might be ''a blessing in disguise?'' Hasn't historic hindsight proven that lesson time and time again?
I realize some might accuse or interpret my optimism as Pollyanish, but is it not possible that the ruptures of the Middle East might still lead to its ultimate healing? As I stood on those war-torn sandy deserts during my recent visit with the troops in Iraq, I thought, even if Armageddon is on the horizon, divine intervention and restoration is soon to follow.
(3) Faith and hope must lead the way.
At first Julia's condition understandably multiplied the family's heartache, but now they've trusted in the Lord to work through medical advances and provide solutions to this seemingly insurmountable situation. God, family, and others are their hopes and priorities.
If we are ever to see our world and country restored to normalcy and civility, it will not come without a return to the core values on which our forefathers stood. George Washington (1732-1799) spoke to world peace, when he said, ''It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible.'' And President Andrew Jackson (1767-1845), addressed national civility when he concluded, ''The Bible is the rock upon which our republic rests.''
Until that rock becomes our bedrock again, there is little hope for true politeness in politics, publishing, or our personal lives. (That is why my wife Gena and I are on the board of, and do public service announcements for, the National Council on Bible Curriculum in Public Schools.)
The power of Julia's karate kick
In addition to Julia providing inspiration in my life, I'm humbled to say that I had some inspiration in hers.
Before the trampoline accident or the cancer detection, she was a part of my Kickstart program and hopes to return after recovery. She explained, "I became so dedicated and focused because of the [Kickstart] Foundation that I was actually looking forward to school this year. At the end of all this, I want to get back to my karate.''
Julia is a superb example of why we have committed our lives to the national expansion of Kickstart, even by investing our profits of the World Combat League and its showing on the Versus Channel.
From lucky break to inspiring leadership
I know you'll join me in praying for Julia and other children like her. But maybe what we need to do most is really listen to them.
A friend said about her, "Julia's a real inspiration. She's very courageous and upbeat, even though she's fighting a cancer that's very serious."
The prophet Isaiah has something else to say about the spirit of her life, instructional words also given during a time of global unrest, controversy, and crises, and yet hope for a better day and world to come.
''In that day the wolf and the lamb will live together; the leopard and the goat will be at peace. Calves and yearlings will be safe among lions, and a child will lead them all.'' (Isaiah 11:6).
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
BUMP THAT!!!!!
His stuff on WND is just about the only reason I go there anymore. He impresses more and more each time he puts pen to paper.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
Not even Texas can lay claim to Chuck Norris. He's more Texan than Texas.
How about a Newt/Norris in '08 ticket.
You think Pelosi was blinking alot at the SOTU, think what she'd do having to face Chuck.
We surely can pray for her. We have 5 grandchildren, and the oldest is Anna, now also 12. Yes our hope for our children and grandchildren is a Godly nation. I think so much of the following for our nation: "Blessed is the man......" (Psalm 1:1) and "Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD;......."(Psalm 33:12); and "Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people." (Proverbs 14:34) and last: "By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from iniquity." (Proverbs 16:6).
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.