Lessons from a life fully lived
-Hannah's Gift: Lessons from a life fully lived-
By Maria Housden


Hannah was a lovely 3 year old girl who was unfortunately struck with cancer - a rare and agressive form of it. Though so young, she was filled with much wisdom even as she dealt with what life had to give her. In the last year of her life, she changed the way the hospital was run, and taught a great deal to the people around her. The zest and joy this girl had for life was so contagious. She lived her life to the full and leaves behind an example for all to follow. All these were recorded in a moving account written by her own mother.


It was thanks to adrianne that i got the chance to read this book. While reading, there were moments that i couldn't help but laugh aloud, and others when i couldn't stop the tears too. A simple yet meaningful book, one that makes you sit down and reflect after reading it.


-The truest measure of life is not its length, but the fullness in which it is lived-


If i were Hannah...
Knowing that an inevitable death is near, would i have been as joyful as she was?
I guess that given my age now, i would be far from it
Somehow, the older you get, the more you get enticed by the things of this world.
It would be so easy to be bitter, disappointed and even furious at myself, everything, God.
I know that i would question Him like anything - Why me? Why such a thing? Haven't i been serving you faithfully? etc etc..
Obviously there would be so much on my mind, all no doubt negative
I believe i would not be able to face death as joyfully as Hannah did
Perhaps regret would be the stronger emotion
It's like i'm 18 only..there is so much more to do in life..


I guess we always focus on the negative and painful side of death only
The hurt, the sorrow, the finality..
We forget that death is not the end but a new beginning of life with God
Therefore, should we not look forward to our earthly death actually?
Since we have the assurance that God is waiting for us in heaven..


To look at things from another angle : If I were Hannah's mother..
Knowing that my daughter has a high chance of a premature death
Seeing my child suffer through chemotherapy, needles and pain
Realising that i may not get to see her grow up
Is it not so easy to wallow in despair and indignation?
My faith would surely be challenged again. Shaken to the core
Would I still believe enough to give everything to Him?
To say "Thy will be done" instead of "my will be done"?
Can I still say that i know that everything is in control?


*ponders...


Many times we don't want the full christian life
We want only the good side - close walk with God, good christian friends and abundant blessings
It is true that God would give us all these things, within his will of course
But, we shun the other part, the difficult-to-shallow part
Or more commonly termed as suffering
The times of testing, persecution and heavy sacrifice
Many a time, we find it so difficult to surrender everything to God, willing ourselves to leave all things in His hands
We want to write our own stories of richess, health and comfort
Hoping that God would endorse them


However, God does not work is such ways
He writes our stories
In fact, they were written even before time began
The trials and suffering are there as part of His divine plan
Though hard to understand, He does know what's best for us
It my prayer that when suffering knocks on my door,
I would have the faith to rely on His faithfulness
Knowing that He is wise and that He loves me:)


All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
psalms 139:16b


*i guess this entry would have been a little over-preachy to some of you. These are just some of my honest thoughts about this issue. thanks for reading through it:)