This week I interviewed author L.M. Hinton on her harrowing story of loss. You can listen to the full interview on the Life Lessons Podcast page. No one should ever have to lose that many people, care for that many sick loved ones or see things happen to children as she has.

I’d love to tell you that she kept her faith all those years. But she didn’t. She gave up on God. She couldn’t see how He could be in the midst of that many deaths and accidents. I know that many of us have felt like that before. How can we trust that God is there when everything falls apart and there is so much pain?
The question many people ask is how can a good God allow such bad things?
We have answers to that. The Bible does tell us how to live in the world when we cannot fathom the consequences of life. Sometimes that doesn’t make it any easier.
Leah did find her way back to God. It was after much self-medicating though. And God used the words of a praying friend to begin that journey.
Maybe we will never grasp that this life will have so much pain at times. Maybe in those moments, when we see loved ones hurting, our role is to be that praying friend? Maybe it is to not lose our faith so that we can help carry others through their darkest moments. And then, when we need it done for us, we can rest assured that no matter how dark it gets, someone is praying for us and will help us through.
Who do you know that is hurting right now? How can you pray for them? How can reach out to let them know they are not alone? As Leah describes in our interview, many people left their family’s side out of discomfort. They didn’t know what to do so they walked away. It is very hard to know how to care for those who are suffering. It is important to now leave, but to find a way to communicate that you are praying and that they are not alone.
Leah Hinton now only found her way back to God, but she found Him waiting for her. She has seen and suffered so much but today she stands as an example of love and joy. She does not let the tragedies of her life define her, nor weigh down her zest for life. If you have an hour to spare, join us on her journey. If you don’t then just know that we are created to love one another and to help each other through dark times.
Life Lesson: Don’t turn away from giving or receiving love & care.