Faith Beyond Belief
This is one of the most moving video’s I’ve seen in recent months. Like Wright’s Law, it’s moving because it tells the truth: it tells the truth about how hard life can be; it tells the truth about how important faith is; it tells the truth about the power of love.
Here’s the short version of the story: Joel Green was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer (Atypical Teratoid/Rhamboid Tumor) in January of 2010. Joel then had surgery to remove the tumor followed by an anticipated 54 weeks of radiation and chemotherapy. In October of 2010, however, he had a tumor recurrence and was declared terminal. But Joel is 4 years old now, and he and his family continue to struggle with his illness even as they give thanks for his endurance, his courage, and his life.
One of the things you’ll notice in the conversations with his parents, Ryan and Amy, is that they regularly refer to their faith, the importance of prayer, and their confidence in God. As Amy writes on Joel’s website, talking about Joel’s tumor:
It’s pretty big. But Joel’s God is bigger. Joel’s really really big God hopes that you will pour yourself out, extending your faith as far as you can, partnering with Him in the miraculous act He is going to perform.
This is faith that, to me at least, is beyond belief. First, I am blown away by their faith, hope, and love. But second, faith for Ryan, Amy and Joel isn’t just about believing certain things – it’s also about acting in ways that demonstrate their confidence. Joel continues to be terminal. They know the chances of him living to five are small. But so were his chance of making it to three, and to four.
Their faith is both tenacious and inspiring, and we can be both uplifted by it even as we try to strengthen it through our prayers. So if you have a few minutes (14, to be exact), watch Joel’s story, check out his website, and add your prayers to the multitudes that are being offered on behalf of this courageous and faithful child and his family.
Thank you. Thank God for you.
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2) Thanks to Soul Pancake for their amazing work, including this video.
You have once again brought me to tears…………
Tenacious and inspiring….yes, yes, yes. Thanks for posting. And thanks to these beautiful parents for sharing their story…a heart wrenching, heart warming love story with their child, with each other, and with God.
Well said, “Joel may not change the world”, but he also has changed my relationship with my family and my God, Thank You Joel!