Stories of Hope

A Letter for Other Grieving Kids

Rose Short, age 14

Dear Reader,

I remember when my younger brother got diagnosed with cancer. I was scared  and worried. I asked myself,” Why did God let this happen?”. I didn’t understand, because he didn’t do anything to deserve this. I wondered, “Why couldn’t it have been me and not my 6 year old brother?”. It was the beginning of the hardest trial of my life.

There were many hard times. Like, friendships that changed and felt distant. This made me feel lonely. It was hard to trust God when my life felt out of control and like it was crumbling. It was hard to not worry that my brother would die.

While my brother was in treatment, we went back and forth from our house to rental houses in Phoenix. It was like we were living in two places at once. It was hard to go back and forth between Phoenix and home. I realized life would look different for a while. My brother wasn’t able to go anywhere, because of treatment, so I was probably going to have to stay home a lot of the time. This was hard because I wouldn’t be able to see people like my friends.

But God grew my faith through this hard time of life. I learned that I can go to God with anything and I can trust Him. This grew my prayer life because when I needed someone to talk to, I could just talk to God. I learned to pray when I was anxious or worried about life. I saw through this trial that God does everything for good, but it may not be easy.

Through this trial I learned to lean on my family. I feel like I grew closer to my sister because we began to talk about all of the hard things with each other. We shared what we thought and what we were struggling with, that we didn’t share with anyone else. That was a good thing. We were also at home with the boys more than usual. They began to come to us sisters for comfort. That allowed us to trust each other more.

I felt like I could go to my parents for anything. Dad stayed with us when mom was in the hospital, so we went to him with things that we would normally go to mom about. It made me see that I could trust him more. But we still called mom when she was gone.

Our family relationships grew in trust and love because we were all struggling together. If I had a friend who was going through something similar, I would tell her to remember that God is always with you. And that He loves you no matter what. Remember that you are His child. He does everything for a purpose, even though we might not know the purpose. I’ve seen it. This trial showed me how much I actually loved my family. It showed me that the Lord is always there. Even when I don’t feel like it. And that He always provides for his children. This grew my faith and my relationship with the Lord. Through this trial, I see everything differently now.

Sincerely,

Rose

Q & A with Rose Short:

What songs bring you joy and encouragement?

I made a playlist on Spotify called “How I fight my battles”. It’s filled with song that remind me how the Lord has a purpose behind everything. Even hard things. My favorites are “It wasn’t for nothing” by The Band Jaren and “Testimony” by Terrian.

What helps you feel safe and comforted on an extra hard day?

When I have a hard day, I like to pray and read my Bible. This reminds me how the Lord is with me through all of the hard seasons of life. And that I can go to Him with everything. And I like to eat some cookies, of course.

What’s a comforting thing your parents have done when you’re sad?

They give me hugs and talk to me. They tell me that they love me. This helps because it lets me know that they love and care for me.

How have your friends made you feel loved in this hard season?

Teens don’t normally know how to comfort someone going through a hard season like this, because they haven’t gone through it themselves. But here are three things that would have been encouraging.

1. Pray with me.
2. Give lots of hugs.
3. Make a care package with favorite snacks, beauty products and encouraging Bible verse.

Reflecting on My Brother’s Cancer

Jewel Short, age 16

Sometimes it seems like the world is throwing every single thing it has at you.  And its aim is perfect, because not a single thing is missing the target. Sometimes you can feel the waves crashing over you, hitting and banging up against you, again and again. Sometimes it appears that no matter how many times you scream, no matter how loud, no one will hear. What if you kick, yell, and thrash, but no one cares. What if they hear but don’t listen? What if they look but don’t really see?

The ‘sometimes’ and ‘what if’s’ are so often all that fill your head. “What if that?” “Sometimes, this happens”. That’s when you have to stop. Just stop. Breath. And look around you. The world hasn’t ended, the earth hasn’t opened up into a bottomless pit to swallow you whole. Look for what is. Christ IS your savior. He IS in control. God IS a loving God, and He has a plan for this crazy life. Your life, no matter how crazy and disassembled, IS still here. Everything you’re going through IS happening for a reason. This trial IS going to be used for your good and God’s glory. No matter what happens, you can know that you will make it through. Because of Christ, you can find comfort in the things that are.

The people who surround you are your family. And all of them stand by you. They truly care about you. They see you when you feel like heat damaged hair, all frizzed out and not taking anything else. Your family is your backbone. The ones you can trust fall onto when life gets rough. Your family loves you and cares for you. All of the different parts: the crazy, the calm, the moments together, and the moments where you need to be alone. You are all in this together. You are not alone. They have your back. You are part of a group. And that group is growing, as friends join in to help. Friends help in so many different ways. Friends who just know what you need. Friends who know just what to say. And friends who listen, without you having to say anything.

Some do the smallest thing, like bringing you a drink, that makes the biggest impact. Close friends know you inside and out and can make you laugh when you need it; but also make you cry, because how did they even know? New friends you didn’t know you were missing until you clicked like puzzle pieces, and they just got you. Unexpected friends, who encourage you through their trials. And when it’s been a long day, you know you’ll tell them all about it when you see them again. All of them willing to stand by you, willing to love you through life’s craziness. Family and friends all united through Christ, because He brought you all together. And stuck you in this mess together, knowing that you would all help each other. Because your life isn’t always pitch perfect, or in key. In fact most of the time it’s so far off key and so pitchy, that it’s more like a squawk.

When the hard times come and the world starts to take aim, remember Christ gave you His strength. And with that strength, you can take the unknown day by day. Your life is exactly what it’s meant to be. Let the Lord guide you. Don’t view the trial as if you are someone with a sack forced over your head and being dragged off a cliff.

Willingly close your eyes, stepping forward, purposely following Christ, as He leads you where He needs you to be. And knowing that this will be a testament to God’s saving grace and love. Your story, your trial and your struggles will be used to encourage someone, somewhere, sometime. The pain has a purpose. He has a plan, and not just any plan. He has the perfect plan.

So, the world can throw anything it wants at you. You are protected. The waves can crash against you, but you can’t drown. You don’t have to scream. God hears your whispers. There’s no need for the kicking, the yelling, or the thrashing, because Christ has adopted you into His family. The world isn’t falling apart, it’s falling into place. And God has you in your place. Stop fighting, and let God work through you in your trial, to show His glory.

Q & A with Jewel Short

What songs bring you joy and encouragement?

• The Truth I’m Standing On – Leanna Crawford
• Found a Love – 7 Hills Worship
• No Doubt About It – We The Kingdom
• You Say – Lauren Daigle

What helps you feel safe and comforted on an extra hard day?

I’m a reader so I enjoy making tea (my favorite is passion fruit) and curling up in bed with a good book or my prayer journal.

What’s a comforting thing your parents have done when you’re sad?

My parents listening to me, and then helping me focus on what’s really important.

How have your friends made you feel loved in this season?

By being there for me, not running away when things got messy, and listening to my crazy long worry rants. (My best friends have gotten to enjoy quite a few of those.) And helping me work through them.