This Fallen World

It seems like cancer has been very invasive in my little world of late. Family, friends, mentors - so many people I love being affected by this horrid beast. Many of us think of cancer as an affliction of old age, striking in the sunset of life well after the ripeness of a person's prime. This, unfortunately, is a lie we tell ourselves for our own comfort. Cancer can strike at any stage, any age, and I think the most tragic victims are the children.

I've often questioned how a loving God can allow this vile illness to affect the most innocent among us. So far He hasn't answered.

There was a teen in my juvenile prison who developed leukemia after being with us for almost three years (due to his own continued negative behavior). He deserved it, and I hoped he would die from it. He was evil. Truly evil. I didn't believe in demonic possession until I met this teen, and if I'd been one hair more religious I'd have considered myself obligated to remove the threat from the world. If I told you the things he had done, you wouldn't sleep tonight. I'm serious. Horror movie torture type stuff here, folks. Things you wouldn't think one human could truly do to another human. Evil.

When he developed the leukemia, he was discharged to his mother. That's probably the only way he was going to get out. I think we all expected him to die. He didn't. He recovered. In fact, he recovered well enough to hurt someone else and go to prison.

I asked God why he would let this walking nightmare live, but would take from the world these sweet, good, loved and loving children. Why would he tear these precious darling from the arms of their devoted families, families also devoted to Him?

On Saturday He answered me: "Because this is a fallen world."

This fallen world is the Devil's playground, hunting ground, his kingdom. Demons belong here. That's why the evil teen recovered.

These innocent lambs, the children of the faithful, still young enough for perfect faith, are being rescued from the horrors of this world. God is preserving them. Every parent wants their child to be healthy, safe, and happy. God is answering prayers in His way, which might not be exactly what we were hoping for. His Perfect Will is not always in line with our Free Will.

Every day I pray for God's Perfect Will, the wisdom to recognize it, and the strength to accept it.