Hope to the hopeless

I don't think words can describe the sick feeling in my stomach and turmoil in my mind as we faced the reality today that Maria Isabel will not get her heart surgery.  Hector called the surgery team multiple times on the slim chance that something had changed and they had an opening for her...but nothing.  They said that they would have another team come in January.  For Maria Isabel, that is too long to wait.  My heart sank and I just kept insisting there must be another way, but it seems that the door has closed for this opportunity for Maria Isabel.   

I fought back tears as we went to give the disappointing news of delay to Maria Isabel's mother.  I stood holding this beautiful girl's hands as she looked up at me expectantly with her big brown eyes.  She never blinked as Hector explained the details to her mother...she just kept looking in my eyes.  I held her stare and kept smiling while my mind was screaming "I'm sorry!"  I felt so helpless and just kept wondering 'why'?  Why was she born with this heart defect?   Why was the chance for help offered and then lost?  Why can't I do anything to change this? Why did we find her if we couldn't help her?  Why was her mother given hope, only to have it taken away? WHY????  As my mind was racing and Hector was still talking to the mother, suddenly Maria Isabel smiled the biggest smile.  It looked like she winked at me also.  I felt a peace wash through my heart and mind and could almost audibly hear God's voice say "I've got this".  

God knew Maria Isabel before she was born.  He knew about her heart problem and He knew that she would cross our path.  He even knew she wouldn't have the needed heart surgery at this time.  He has a plan.   Even though I don't understand it or know what the future holds for Maria Isabel...God does.  He's got this!  So I left Maria Isabel and as tears streamed down my face, a flood of hope filled my heart along with a picture of her face burned into my mind.   A picture of God's perfect creation who may not fully understand the details of her seemingly hopeless future, but yet she is resting in His hands with eyes filled with hope.   

We found out that there is a possibility that the Helping Hearts foundation can assist in getting Maria Isabel to the United States to have the surgery.  Hector was told to call next week and they would talk about the details and requirements.  Keep those prayers coming...God's not finished writing the story of Maria Isabel, the beautiful little girl from El Banano, who stole our hearts.