Have you ever been so heavily affected by one single event in your life that you didn't know how you would ever recover?

Recently, I was given the opportunity to attend a camp with students ages seven to 18. All of the students were extremely welcoming to those of us "invading" their time at camp. Honestly, once we got there, we had no idea how we would be received.

Until she came.

This tiny, little girl who didn't even look old enough to attend the camp came running into the room we were in. Smile bright, eyes shining she looked around at us. Hesitantly, she stepped into the room. I was immediately drawn to this child. There was something about her that seemed to reach out and grab me in the gut. Within seconds, I knew something was special about this small child.

Upon introducing myself to her, I found my intuition had been correct. She stretched her little hand toward me in a formal introduction, completely at odds with her mussed hair and rumpled clothing. Her smile was contagious; her words intellectual. A gleam in her eyes seemed to hint at knowledge beyond her own age.

Little did I know exactly how true that would be.

This young girl had met with hardship far beyond anything I had ever known. She had known tragedy more than I could ever ender. In her short life, she had already done more than I could dare to conquer. She was beautiful, and her spirit was pure.

During the two days I was privileged enough to be apart of this girl's life, love like I had never known blossomed within me for this child. Never in my life had I so wanted to remain a part of a person's life. Being the fairly reserved and quiet person I am, quiet time and personal space are precious to me, and yet I found myself willing to give all of it up in an instant for this child.

I was given the chance to meet her grandmother. Afterward, I was confident in the home life of the girl and her siblings. It comforted me to know that everything that she had faced during her childhood, which she was still well within, was soon to be far in the past.

This child has burrowed herself deep within my heart. Saying goodbye ripped me to shreds. I don't know if I will ever be given the chance to see her again, though I pray the Lord blesses me so, but I know that my life will never be that same after this encounter.

In her, I saw strength.

In her, I saw courage.

In her, I saw love that could only come from the Lord.

And He has changed my life for the better because of her.

My dear precious girl, I love you so very much, and I will forever be grateful for you.