Our week is rolling along as its usual speedy pace with preschool, a doctor appointment, work, errands, and the everyday chaos of life with little kids. But inside my heart is heavy with sadness. Caleb Adamyk, the son of our friends Steven and Jeannette, went to be with Jesus on Monday night. Caleb was born with Edward’s Syndrome (Trisomy 18) and doctors said he wouldn’t live a single day. He was a fighter though, and lived 29 months. You can read more about Caleb in our local paper here.
Steven and Jeannette have spent the past three years working to make sure Caleb had everything that could have possibly helped him. The way they loved their son has inspired many people. But they are grieving and hurting right now, and it’s awful to know they won’t get to see their son again until heaven.
It seems there are difficult circumstances all around these days. I’m about to fly north for the weekend to be with some close friends of mine from college, but one of them—my very best friend—is currently in a Chicago hospital. She’s been dealing with chronic head pain for the past four years and it doesn’t seem to be getting any better. There are hard situations in my family too, and in many places around the world like Libya and the Horn of Africa.
Earlier today during my kids’ naptime, I was sitting at the kitchen table listening to a mini-sermon by Pastor Colin Smith. I was staring distractedly into space when this line grabbed my attention: “Faith factors in the ability of God.” He then said that faith is like a muscle we need to exercise. When we see things strictly through human eyes, we’re overwhelmed and our faith fades. But we grow in faith when we choose to believe in God’s goodness and power.
I can’t make sense out of devastation like Caleb’s death, or my friend’s relentless, pounding head pain, or the thousands of hungry children in Africa. But when I exercise faith, I don’t trust my limited understanding. Instead I remember that God is always working for the good of those who love Him no matter what we walk through in life. And when I find myself at a loss for what to do or say, God promises to guide me if I humble myself and ask Him for wisdom.
Sometimes when life is painful for people I love, all I do is feel bad. I say a quick prayer and go back to feeling bad. But what does that accomplish? I should be praying with faith, believing that God’s word applies to everyone in every circumstance.
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