Why do bad things happen to good people? It would be nice if there were an easy answer to that question. It is a question that I have considered many times in my life, and still I don’t know the complete answer.

On September 2, 1978, our second son, Nick was born. As with most parents, even before he was born, we had plans and hopes for his life. Those plans came to an end when the doctor called the night of his birth. The doctor wasn’t sure what was wrong but the baby was having difficulty and he had to be taken to Children’s Hospital in Oklahoma City. I followed the ambulance that night, praying all the way.

Within a few hours of arrival at Children’s Hospital the immediate physical problems were solved and Nick was released from the intensive care unit. He remained in the hospital for most of the week while many tests were performed. A doctor eventually explained that Nick had Downs Syndrome (Trisomy 21 which results in mental retardation.). The diagnosis was confirmed after chromosome testing.

Why did this bad thing happen? I struggled with it and prayed that God would change Nick. I still remember determining that I was going to pray all night if necessary until God healed Nick. On my knees by the crib I began to pray. In less than an hour the answer came. No, God wasn’t going to change Nick, but it was going to be okay. God was going to be with us. I haven’t questioned God since that night.

Almost twenty years later I can look back and see that Nick has been one of God’s greatest blessings in our lives. He has changed our lives for the better and taught us much about the real way of love. Not only has God through Nick touched our lives but the lives of many others as well.

No, things are not perfect in this world, but God is true to His promise in Romans 8:28 to bring good out of the bad for those who love Him and serve Him.