When a 5-year-old is dying of cancer, what can be done to make up for all that she will miss? This was the challenge facing Ryan and Heidi, whose daughter, Lila May Schow, was diagnosed with stage four neuroblastoma and is not expected to make it to this Thanksgiving.
Springing into action, her parents decided they would not allow the cancer to rob their daughter of the important celebrations of life. So they planned a fairy tale ball, which included every major celebration a girl has to look forward to — a prom, a birthday bash and a wedding!
To this end, a large facility was secured and transformed into a princess’ castle for the day. Lila arrived on a horse-drawn carriage, wearing a custom-made princess gown and tiara. She was received by a large crowd of family and friends.
In a celebration full of meaningful moments, the most important came when her father “proposed” to her … get this … so that she would know what a proposal felt like! [1]
“My beloved spoke and said to me, ‘Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, come with me’” (Song of Solomon 2:10). With these words, the bride of Solomon was swept away by her bridegroom. As she drank in the significance of each moment of her betrothal, she felt completely covered in the love of her soon-to-be husband. It was a beautiful moment. She exulted, “My beloved is mine and I am his … He has brought me to his banquet hall, and his banner over me is love” (Song of Solomon 2:4, NASB).
That’s what Ryan and Heidi wanted for their daughter. They wanted her to know what it’s like to be the object of absolute devotion. They wanted her to know what it’s like to be promised unending love. They wanted her to know what it’s like to belong to the love of another.
And so her father proposed to her in a beautiful banquet hall. They didn’t want their daughter to depart from this world without knowing what a proposal felt like.
What a blessed little girl, to have parents that love her and know how to communicate that love.
As we reflect on the purpose of Christ’s coming and of His sacrifice, we are likewise blessed to know that we have a God Who loves us and knows how to communicate that love.
Jesus went to the cross because He wanted you to know what it’s like to be the object of absolute devotion. He rose from the grave because He wanted you to know what it’s like to be promised unending love. He did all of this so that no matter what circumstances you might face, you could still know what it’s like to belong to the love of another.
Jesus doesn’t want you to depart from this world without knowing what a proposal feels like.
Will you accept His proposal of love?
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1. “5-Year-Old with Terminal Cancer Has a Birthday Party, Wedding and Prom All At Once,” Sasha Henriques, published Women’s Day, August 4, 2015; < http://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/family/5-year-old-with-terminal-cancer-has-a-birthday-party-wedding-and-prom-all-at-once/ar-BblqeXP >.