Dr. French O'Shields There are certain persons whose life has inspired me and made mine better. Here is the story of one:

Had you driven by North Belmont (N.C.) Elementary School on Wednesday, Sept 17, 2008, you would have seen a strange sight. Eighty colored balloons each ascending slowly toward the heavens. A fourth grade class and adults watched intently. What was this all about? Let me share with you the story.

In August 2006, my young friend Matt, seven years of age, was diagnosed with a very rare cancer that causes abdominal tumors.

Hospitalized until February of 2007, he had many rounds of chemo, radiation, several surgeries, and in February 2007 stem cell transplants.

He was able to come home, but missed all of his second grade of school.

He attended the third grade but was unable to play outside. With his body declared free of cancer by his physicians, Matt was overjoyed last month to begin the fourth grade with no restrictions.

"My heart just filled with joy when I saw him outside playing like all the other children," said one of his teachers.

His loving family and friends who had prayed so earnestly for two years were encouraged and grateful. Then after a seemingly normal day at school and on the playground, on Friday evening, Sept. 12, Matt began to have stomach pains. He was admitted to the hospital on Saturday and severe complications from his treatments were discovered. The next day, Sunday, Sept. 14, I received the call I hoped I would never receive: "We lost our precious Matt this morning but we know where he is. He has gone to be with Jesus."

During the night I thought a lot about Matt and his family. I planned to telephone the next day to talk with his grandmother Sally. I had been her, and her family's pastor 25 years ago in Charlotte, N.C., and we remain cherished friends. Awake in the night, I prayed: "Father, what am I going to say to Sally? Please give me a word from you to share with her."

God answered my prayer and I was able to share it:

Sally, God knows how precious Matt was to you, but that he was even more precious to God. Matt's spirit and soul were so very precious to Him, that when his physical body was no longer a fit vessel to house something so precious, He brought Matt to heaven to be with Him. God had graciously given Matt a shortcut to the top of the mountain that most of us go around and around for years to reach.

Before sharing it with Sally I had wanted to make sure it was God's message, not mine. The

Holy Spirit confirmed the message was indeed from Him by leading me to Psalm 116: 15 L.B.: "His (God's) loved ones are very precious to Him and He does not lightly let them die."

At times God brings into everyone's life an extraordinary person whose life blesses, motivates, and inspires us to higher things.

My young friend Matt was such a person for me. An inspiring life is not measured by how long one lives, fame, or worldly possession. It is measured by how enveloped it is in LOVE: both receiving and giving love.

By this standard, Matt's life of only nine years, was extraordinary. He was indeed a very special child. Matt was enveloped in love because he knew well the love of Jesus and loved Him in return. He had a great knowledge and understanding that nothing could ever separate him from the love of God (Romans 8:28). This awareness of God's love enabled him to suffer without complaining, hope without doubting, and live with no fear of death. He was immersed in the love of a family devoted to his care.

So now you know the story of the 80 balloons.

Fellow students and teachers released them for Matt to symbolize his going to heaven. They attached love notes to the balloons, tears wet the cheeks of teachers and children. His parents, grandparents and sister watched in awe, saddened in heart by their loss but grateful to God for being blessed with such a precious one as Matt and knowing that he was even more precious to a loving Heavenly Father.

(Dr. French O'Shields is a Gaffney native and a retired Presbyterian minister.)