Vinny Desautels: Selflessness In A Sinful World
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Vinny Desautels: Selflessness In A Sinful World

Where is God in a crisis?

50
Vinny Desautels: Selflessness In A Sinful World
today.com

You may have heard of 7-year-old, second-grader, Vinny Desautels of Roseville, California, who selflessly grew out his hair for two year to donate to "wigs for kids with cancer." Within those two years, he was teased by peers and mistaken for a girl dozens of time, with which he would simply respond, "Nah, I'm a boy." He stuck with his task because he knew in the end, it was all for a good cause. Vinny told Sacremento Fox Affiliate on Sunday, "I want to help people so they don't have to go to the doctors to fight cancer."

But devastatingly enough, Vinny has recently been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. At first, Vinny complained of a stinging pain behind his eye, which is parents attributed to his seasonal allergies. Vinny's eye, however, continued to swell, despite prescription eye drops and allergy medication. Soon after, Vinny complained of knee pain, and his parents discovered a lump on his right hip. These two instances appeared to be linked. After several blood tests, MRIs, and CT scans, doctors diagnosed Vinny with an aggressive form of stage 4 cancer. Currently, the family awaits the diagnosis of Ewings sarcoma, a rare type of tumor that forms in the tissue of bone.

According to CNN, Vinny's mother is a self-employed hairstylist who is also six-months pregnant. It is difficult for the family to juggle expenses, a pregnancy, and a family, not to mention this devastating diagnosis. They decided to set up a GoFundMe, which has miraculously reached $457,030 as of March 14, 2016. Because of this, the family has recently decided to suspend their GoFundMe, so donations can be used for other families who have children with cancer, such as Hayden, who has Hodgkin's Lymphonia (you can donate to Hayden here).

Many people may wonder where God's hand is in all of this. When I first saw this topic "trending" on Facebook, my heart broke. I remember seeing pictures of little Vinny, grinning cheerfully with his long locks hanging past his little shoulders. He took the taunts, the ridicule, and the questions, because he knew in his heart that what he was doing was right; it was fearless, shameless, selfless.

I remember scrolling through the comments, some people sending prayers and well wishes to Vinny, while others questioned God; they were angry with Him. And some comments were simply heartless, saying things along the lines of "well, you reap what you sow, this kid must have done something wrong."

With which I want to respond, how could you? How could you pass judgement on a little boy fighting for his very life? Where is your compassion? Where is your heart for a broken, aching, dying world? What God do you serve?

I understand the anger. I understand why people would be angry with God for "allowing this to happen." I once was told that you can be angry with God, because He can take it.

But friends, evil does not care. This evil is disgusting, malicious, repulsive. It manifests itself with a blind rage. It is the very opposite of grace. It cares not for the selfless little boy named Vinny Desautels, it does not care for the bleeding and broken, it wishes only to destroy them, and to rip them further from the hand of the Father.

Unfortunately, I do not have all the answers. I cannot answer why God would "allow something like this to happen." But I do know this; it is not God who we should be brutally blaming, it is Him who we should be running to in times of crisis. When we have known darkness, we must cling desperately to what is light. I am reminded of the brokenhearted words of Ronald Reagan, after the Challenger explosion. He addressed the nation, and spoke specifically to the schoolchildren saying, "I know it is hard to understand, but sometimes painful things like this happen." Painful things, horrible and terrible things happen, because sin is present in our world. We don't understand it in full, and we never will.

But hope is found in a God that is so very near to those who have known pain, as Psalm 34:18 states, "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and saves the crushed in spirit." Sin warps our vision, tricking us into thinking that because evil is so widespread, that God is too far away to care. This world is ruled by evil, but our hope is stronger than sickness, hurt, and death itself. These are the times in wich we need God with every fiber in our being.

I pray for Vinny and his family, that the light and love of Jesus would be so very prevelant and powerful, as we pray for healing and an ever-present hope.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

49409
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

31445
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

955103
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

180341
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments