Worthwhile Networking

Ronald and I went on another adventure into Atlanta to complete the networking cycle that had begun 750 miles away. My sister-in-law sent cloth bags made by her amazing sewing group, Tapestry of Love. These bags were to be filled and given to pediatric cancer patients.

Last month Kathy traveled from Illinois to Austin and took over 40 bags stuffed with gifts to a hospital there where her sister lives. Later, Kathy sent around 35 bags for us to fill. Our recent Celebrate Life Party gleaned an amazing number of wonderful items for this year’s charity. Our friends were most gracious and generous, and we are so appreciative.

Through a network of friends, we were able to connect with a lovely young lady, Dina, at the Aflac Children’s unit in Atlanta.

Man! If you want to be impressed with generosity, take a trip to Atlanta where you will see a hospital that covers what seems like miles when you are trying to find your way around the place! The Arthur M. Blank Foundation has built a complex of around 76 acres. It was a trial and error process to find the right parking deck where we were met by the two lovely ladies who took the bags and the donated gifts to give to the proper recipients.

I can’t imagine the networking it took to raise funds, design, and build such a magnificent structure! Then the staffing with folks who truly care for the children who are hurting! The organization that it must take for it all to come together boggles my mind!

Yeah, I can sew little bags, I can throw parties to collect gifts, I can (with Ronald’s driving and the GPS) get the things to Atlanta.

But …

Being the weak link that I am, I could never work in the medical field. Even as we walked into the foyer of the impressive building, my heart broke as I saw children limping into the building with us. I saw others being strolled in wheelchairs. It took great will power for me not to collapse onto the floor in tears.

Why do the little ones have to suffer so?

As an old lady, my aches, and pains, and miscellaneous maladies are perfectly justified. Years of use and abuse cause even the stoutest body (which mine was not) to decay.

But the babies! Again, why, Lord?

My soul cries out for answers.

Our friend, Eric Speirs, writes a blog, Grit and Grace Daily, which I get in my email. As I struggled with my questions, his blog that day encouraged me.

I’ve said many times, I don’t understand God a lick! But I do trust His sovereignty. That is all I can do.

Sorry. This is a true Katharses blog.

May we, as Christian networkers, band together to pray for everyone involved in the care and healing process. May we give thanks for their dedication. May we lift up these little ones in prayer that God would touch their bodies and spirits.

Blessings

Kara Beth