Never Say Never

Note: The following article was released in our church newsletter some time ago, but I wanted to share the story through the blog because Christians everywhere will want to be praying for this young man. He is an outstanding example of how we can all put our complete trust in God. <ronbwriting@yahoo.com>

 

 Never Say Never

His name is Zackary, and he has been on our prayer list for a long time. He is eleven years old and suffers from a brain aneurism. Treatment attempts have seemed successful at times, only to find out later that things aren’t going so well. His basic diagnosis is an inoperable brain aneurism and Zackary knows his prognosis isn’t good. He and his family are becoming more and more accustomed to the reports that contain bad news.

Zackary’s mom posted information on this amazing young man recently that I want to share with you. She states, “He continues to amaze me and has inspired so many. He has started to collect the tabs from soft drink cans, and others are collecting them for him, too. Zack wants to accumulate all the tabs he can, and donate them to Ronald McDonald house which will use the money from the tab rewards to continue their program of helping others. What an amazing way to make a difference!” She continues, “I can’t go on without telling a little story about Zack. We went to see the movie, ‘Never Say Never,’ with Justin Bieber. On our way home Zack said he almost cried when Justin Bieber was singing the song, ‘Never Say Never,’ because like the song, Zack wants to never give up.” Zack said, “I will never give up on Jesus, I will never give up on my friends, my teachers…and mom, I don’t want to give up on my dreams.” (I know a big dream of Zack’s is to play soccer.) His conversation with his mom continued, “If I can’t play soccer here, mom, I will be playing soccer with God. So see, never say never. I will breakdance with him, too.” Now mom relates, “It was an endless conversation where all I could do is listen to him speak from his heart. Why God just doesn’t heal him I don’t know, but all that matters to him is to praise God because of all the storms God has brought him through.” Zack and his mom send their love and hugs for those who have supported them and asked that we continue to remember Zack in our prayers.

I must add one more story about Zack. This was one of the first stories I heard about him after he learned how sick he was. He was asked by someone. What is your favorite animal?” His reply was quick and convincing. “My favorite animal is the zebra, because it reminds me of Jesus, and the Bible says ‘By HIS stripes, we are healed.’”

A psalm of David and the teaching of Jesus give these words, “From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise.”

Thank you, Zack, for continuing to teach us about perseverance, and commitment, and praise, and prayer, and God’s love, and zebras.

4/24/2012 update from Zack's mom:  "My friend Dana posted on her Facebook, asking all her Facebook friends to leave a little message for Zack on her page of how Zack has inspired them in any way. The response was amazing and while sitting in the doctors office lobby we were both reading them. He smiles and says, 'Mom I'm a little teary eyed, because God's love reaches all around the world. I can share him with the whole world and the whole world shares His love with me'"