Every Step

Mom's going to the hospital for her surgery tomorrow, Amelia thought as she stomped angrily down the stairs. And then she has to have all that chemotherapy. I know that's to kill any remaining cancer cells, but it will probably make her lose her long, beautiful hair! Amelia wiped away a tear. And what ifwhat if she dies? As Amelia reached the bottom step, she heard her mother talking to Aunt Diane on the phone and laughing. How can Mom be happy on such a miserable day? Amelia wondered.When Mom finished talking with Aunt Diane, she fixed breakfast for Amelia--a sausage link arranged as a smile on top of a pancake, with two blueberries for eyes. Amelia frowned. "How can you be happy today?" she asked. "I'm so scared.""It's a scary situation," agreed Mom. "But we can trust Jesus to be with us through this and work everything out for our good."Amelia began to cry. "Oh, Mom!" she sobbed. "I don't want you to die."Mom knelt beside Amelia's chair. "Honey, God has all things under His control,