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I got a text from one of my closest friends about a boy that her daughter, Carrington, goes to school with. Michael Girard is an 11-year-old 6th grader from Richland Middle School. On February 2, 2011, Michael passed out at school and was rushed to the emergency room. It was discovered that he has a rare form of leukemia. In addition, it was discovered that there was a leak on the brain and his outcome is not a positive one. The family has been prepared for the worst and Michael is currently on life support. I do not know Michael or his family, but I promised to pray for the Girards.
I also told Jeff and the girls about the situation. Peyton took the news hard; I don't know if it was unsettling for her because they (Peyton, Carrington and Michael) are all so close in age or because it's just a tragic turn of events for a family that is very close and deeply involved in their church. Her immediate response was to call as many people from her youth group as she could and ask them to pray.
As she was getting ready for her shower, I think it finally hit her. Peyton started to cry and explained through tears that she was sad for Michael's family and she couldn't do anything to help them. I encouraged her to continue to pray for them. So, after her shower, Peyton joined Jeff and I in the living room where she prayed the most sincere, heartbreaking, honest prayer I have ever heard. She asked God to put His hands on Michael and to be with the family, and then she expressed her desire that Michael know the Lord intimately. Peyton also prayed that regardless of the outcome, which is hopefully for a miraculous healing, that a wonderful testimony can be used to further His kingdom. Her heart was breaking for this family - and I can understand her pain and that feeling of helplessness. My heart breaks for the parents of this sweet boy.
I would like to ask all of you reading this - even if it "all of you" is just one person - to PLEASE pray for Michael and his family. Whatever God's will is for this family, pray that God's peace and perfect will can be seen, felt, and heard in everything that follows this day!
