“Okay, Lord, you can have him. But if he must die, I want it to be for something big.
I want someone’s life to be changed forever.”
This is what Laura Sobiech prayed when she found out her seventeen-year-old son, Zach, had only one year to live. With this desperate prayer, she released her child to God’s will and God answered her prayers in a big way.
One of the things Zach decided to do was write songs as a way to say “goodbye” to his family and friends. And what God did next is indescribable {watch Zach’s video below}
Last week Laura and I talked via SKYPE, and I recorded our conversation to share with you so YOUR life to be as impacted as mine has been. Laura’s faith is rare, her wisdom, grace and her poignant perspective will rearrange your heart with hope and comfort. Her’s is an amazing story of a mother’s honest struggle to trust God with her child’s life and a teenage boy’s determination to live his final days with unending purpose and joy!
In my next post, Laura shares what she prayed and how God moved in big ways – in her heart and soul, in Zach’s life and perspective, in her whole family and in millions of lives across the world!!
God had bigger plans than they could fathom.
In May 2013 a documentary called “My Last Days: Meet Zach Sobiech” was released on the Soul Pancake YouTube channel and went viral – reaching over 12.3 million people within months of its release. During the week of Zach’s death, on May 20, 2013, his song “Clouds” reached #1 on iTunes and made its way up Billboard’s Top 100 chart, debuting at #26, and topping the Rock Digital Downloads at #1.
TARGET Holiday Book Club Pick:
We’re so excited to share the big news that Laura’s memoir, “FLY A LITTLE HIGHER: How God Answered a Mom’s Small Prayer in a Big Way” is the Target Holiday Book Club Pick!!
Just released this week, this exclusive edition created for Target is signed by Laura, and has special bonus materials including an in-depth Q&A with Laura, discussion questions for readers, small groups and families, and really powerful devotionals in the back!
Will you join us in praying this message will reach people who don’t know Jesus; hearts who desperately need His grace and love!!
ENTER TO WIN
Share your thoughts in the comments about Zach and Laura’s story, and why you’d like to win Fly A Little Higher or who you’ll give a copy to this Christmas!!
Our family has been so impacted by this book, and Zach’s story, we’re giving it away as our Christmas gift to friends, extended family, co-workers, the kids’ teachers, and whoever else God puts on our heart.
MORE TO COME
I’ll share more of the amazing story behind Fly A Little Higher tomorrow, and a chance to WIN the book and a beautiful “Clouds” necklace. Plus a huge thing God did that connects our lives in a way we didn’t know about. It all unfolded in a way only God could orchestrate.
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so you don’t miss the next part of our interview and more giveaways.
Renee,
Can you pass along a message of thanks to Laura Sobiech? I am a mom who lost my special needs child at the age of 18. Her birthday was May 1, 1994 and she passed away on May 22, 2012. Laura’s story gave me comfort. I will be passing along my copy of her book to a friend that lost her 17 year old son recently in a tragic accident.
God has a plan. We may not always understand it, but I have been inspired to continue looking for joy in the little things.
Merry Christmas.
Brenda
I would love to read this book and then pass along to others.
I’ll have to keep it for myself because I’m dying to read their story!! Then I’ll pass it on to someone else!!
Wow! That is all I am able to respond with.
I lost my mom to cancer 3 years ago and I struggled to accept God’s will. My sister is a non-believer and I would like to share this incredible story with her.
I would really,really like a copy this book to give to my prodigal
…. God has a plan and a purpose. He saves whether by m.any or by few!
I would love to read a mother’s perspective and be inspired in my interactions with cancer patients and caregivers at work on an inpatient oncology unit.
The tears every time I hear his song. What an amazing young man with such a spirit of wisdom. Would love to win a copy of the book to share with a young mother just diagnosed with lymphoma.
My young nephew has been diagnosed with a disease that we are having a difficult time getting answers to. I would love to be able to share this book with my sister as she is dealing with ‘picking up the chess pieces’. Thanks.
I would love to win this book and share it with a friend who recently lost her son. She could use some inspiration and encouragement.
Unfortunately this life is filled with suffering and we are. All affected in some way, I would share this book with a co-worker whose sister was just diagnosed with cancer last week.
Hello. I am from the Minneapolis, MN area and I remember hearing about this young man and his incredible song. I am a cancer survivor and his strength and peacefulness inspired me to be a stronger person in my faith. I was 18 when I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and have been cancer free now for 10 years. I realize that I am one of the lucky ones to be able to survive a cancer diagnosis. I would love to read the story of his family’s strength through their loss. They are such an inspirational family. You are also an inspirational person, for giving away so many copies of this book. You will change many lives by giving this book away!
Oh what a message this is…live in the here and now!!! This is something I struggle with! Would love to read this story!
I would love to win a copy of this book! What a blessing.
I would like to win this book, because I know of Zach’s story and would love to read the book. I have so many people in my life who would benefit from reading this book.
Thank you for this beautiful story— it has touched my heart! There are many families who are walking through sickness (cancer, and other diagnoses) and our family is too. This message of hope, faith, strength and love is just what we all need to remember how precious life is — every day life! I pray that we will live it in Christ and He will make something beautiful out of our lives !!
Renee, tears filled my eyes reading about Zach…the past two years have seen the passing of 4 of my students, all at a very young age. I would love to read this book and to share it with the parents and families of the children. It is hard to even think about still…yet I know they were so loved by God and it was His time to bring them home to Him. Their undying love and spirit lives on in my heart…inspiring courage, strength in my weakness and perseverance….hope for the future and of seeing them again…with Jesus! Amen! Praying now for all children and families especially those with special health care needs or illness…that they may never lose hope or lose sight of God, always in His Presence! Amen!
What a sweet sweet memory for that family.
I would give this book to a sister of my heart (she and my brother were married and even though their relationship ended, our relationship has survived over the years). Her daughter, whom I have claimed as niece ever since they joined our family, died from ALS in February. While ALS and cancer are two different diseases and while Zach was a teen and Katie was 33 when she was diagnosed (she died a mere 7 months later), I feel like this book would be of great help to Katie’s mom, Linda.
…if he must die, I want it to be for something big. I want someone’s life to be changed forever…
This truly captured my heart, as my family is facing the same scenario like above, but it is my dad whom the doctor has given us a bad statement. The above statement has given me a new hope.
God is good, all the time!