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Topic: Life (06/15/06)
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TITLE: Keep on Frogging | Previous Challenge Entry
By Allison Egley
06/21/06 -
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I never met Jacob in real life. I only knew him through the website his mom updated nearly every day. Yet even through the cold plastic and glass of my computer monitor, Jacob's life shone through and touched many. Some days I cheered, as Jacob walked out of the hospital with a "do not resuscitate" bracelet on his arm after he was given days to live. Other days, I cried, as Jacob was placed on a ventilator. But even then, his life shone through and he amazed everyone, doctors and nurses included, by standing up while still connected to the ventilator. Nobody does that; no one except, of course, for Amazing Jacob.
Jacob's motto throughout his fight with cancer was "FROG," or "Fully Rely On God." He and his family lived that out to its fullest extent. His family's hope never wavered, even when the physicians gave them the hard news. They knew the Great Physician, and fully relied on Him.
Even in his last days, Jacob let his personality and life shine through. One night, his IV started beeping. He moved his hands and his head to the beeps, like he was dancing. His mom chuckled, and said "Soon you'll be shaking your booty at home with your brothers." He then proceeded to shake his bottom while lying in the hospital bed.
Jacob and his family taught me many things. They taught me to believe in miracles; not just a surface knowledge that God can perform miracles, but a belief that God WILL perform miracles, while still realizing that God's will may not be our will. That may seem like a contradiction, but it's not. It's a delicate balance of acknowledging God's omnipotence while at the same time submitting to His sovereignty. When asked whether his brother still had cancer, one of his triplet brothers said "Oh no, he had that a long time ago, but God took it away."
God has taken away Jacob's cancer. While Jacob did not receive his miracle here on earth, he received the ultimate miracle. He received his crown from his Savior, Jesus Christ. He has heard "Well done, my good and faithful servant." He has received his mansion. I'm sure it's the gathering place for all of heaven's frogs. Jacob is now shaking his booty in his eternal home, laughing and playing with others whom God has called home. He is now living the ultimate abundant life in heaven. Someday, Jacob will be waiting to greet those of us who loved him, both in real life and through the cold confines of a computer screen. He will be smiling with us as we hear "Well done, my good and faithful servant."
Whenever I see a frog, I think of Jacob. I think of his miracles, and I think of his ultimate miracle. I am so glad I was able to hear Jacob's story and am looking forward to the day when I will meet him and my Savior face to face.
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Author's Notes:
[1] Please visit http://www.caringbridge.org/fl/jacob/ to learn more about Jacob and his family.
[2] I do not subscribe to the private message service. Please leave all comments here.
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My one (small) complaint is repeating that you never met Jacob in real life. You mention it twice within 3-4 sentences. I think once is enough.
Very effective story.
Trina<><
This touches me deeply.