Not every prayer for a miracle is answered, and the family of seven-year-old Kayleigh McClendon understands why.
Kayleigh passed away on Nov. 15 into the loving arms of Jesus in heaven, there to celebrate Christmas after more than six months of a valiant battle with brain cancer.
Throughout the long days and nights of pain while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Alabama, Kayleigh remained a little girl of tremendous faith and courage, according to CBN News.
Her faith touched the lives of her neighbours so much that they decided to do something special to show their affection before she died.
Kayleigh's parents had decorated their house in her favourite colour—purple Christmas lights. Seeing this, the neighbourhood did the same. A few hours later all the local stores in their place had sold out all their purple Christmas lights.
While the McClendons are still grieving the death of their little girl, they are comforted by the thought that she will be spending her Christmas with Jesus.
On Kayleigh's last day on earth, her mom 'Carrow promised her that she will continue writing about her on social media to inspire people. She started writing on the McClendon family's Prayers for Kayleigh Facebook page on May 6 when Kayleigh showed the first signs of the brain tumour that would later claim her life, taking her readers to an emotional roller coaster of grief, pain, courage and undying faith.
'Carrow described her daughter's last moments:
"At 10:05 am (Nov. 15) Kayleigh slipped from my arms into the arms of Jesus. She was completely at peace, no pain, surrounded by those that loved her. We are so incredibly sad. We are going to miss our bright, beautiful girl. She left a hole in our hearts when she moved on to heaven."
But despite their deep sorrow, 'Carrow said, "... we know God is good. We know His plans are higher than our plans and that His ways are better."
On Dec. 4, 'Carrow wrote:
"My heart is at peace, because I know God's plan is perfect. I have hope, because I know I will see Kayleigh again. I have joy, because my trust is in God Almighty.
"But even with all of God's goodness, grace and mercy – I still miss her. I miss her smile. Her hugs. Her touch. Her smell. The sound of her voice. My arms still ache to hold her and my heart still hurts.'
She quoted Philippians 4:6-7: "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."
