This sweet girl, fighting a rare brain infection believed to be linked to a parasite picked up while swimming in a lake, just turned 8 years old — in a hospital.
We’ve all been praying for Lillian on my page.
Sadly, her parents just revealed the swelling in Lillian’s brain is “significant.”
Despite the news, they chose love over fear.
“Today we are choosing to praise God for her and celebrate her birthday.”
Yesterday, thousands of you joined Daniel and Rebecca Smart in praying for Lillian after I shared how frighteningly fast she became sick.

According to the Ruston Leader, doctors determined Lillian is battling a Naegleria fowleri infection, which the newspaper reports was most likely acquired while she was swimming in Lake Claiborne in Louisiana.
What began with a fever quickly progressed to extreme fatigue, double vision and unequal pupils before Lillian became critically ill.
There have been small victories.
Her family recently reported movements in her arms and legs and said her pupils had gotten smaller, neurological responses her doctor considered encouraging.
But this latest update makes clear how serious her fight remains.
“The doctors spoke to us yesterday about the extent of the swelling Lillian has as a result of the parasite. It is significant.”
Imagine hearing that about your child on the day you should be celebrating her eighth birthday.
Daniel and Rebecca say every minute brings a different emotion, and they are now carrying enormous decisions while trying to remain strong for Lillian and her brothers.
“We are clinging to our faith right now because without it we wouldn’t be able to hold ourselves together for our girl and her precious brothers.”
Yesterday, Rebecca asked us to put Lillian’s name on our lips.
Today, on her eighth birthday weekend, let’s give this little girl one enormous birthday prayer.
Pray for the swelling in Lillian’s brain to come down.
Pray for wisdom for her parents as they face decisions no mom or dad ever wants to make.
Pray for her doctors and for those small neurological victories to become bigger ones.
And please leave Lillian a happy birthday message below for Daniel and Rebecca to read beside their little girl.
Her parents asked us again today:
“Say her name. Lift her to the Lord.”
Her name is Lillian Smart.
Happy 8th birthday, sweet girl.
An awful lot of people are saying your name today.