STEWARDSHIP—LIVING CHRISTIANITY [ RADICALLY]

New World Articles

One Boy’s Hope-filled Message
By Rich Goode
November 2004

Tyler is a normal third grader from Indianapolis. He likes the Colts, the Cardinals and Play Station. He is the son of my wife’s childhood friend. Tyler has a lot going for him. He is a happy boy who is wise beyond his years. Tyler also has cancer. I’ve only met Tyler a couple of times but our family has been praying for him every day for months. A web site allows us his parents to post updates on him.

Last winter, Tyler and family came to Chicago for a fun weekend away. His chemotherapy treatments didn’t leave him with much to ward off the cold as we walked down Michigan Avenue. No one would have blamed him if he complained yet, despite everything, I couldn’t detect an ounce of self-pity in him.

Recently, Tyler’s parents were told that he was being released from a clinical study because it wasn’t helping him. We hoped this experimental study would succeed where other treatments failed. It was a big blow for his family and all of us who are rooting for him.

After hearing the devastating news, they stopped at their parish to pray. On his web page, his mom reported their conversation on the way home from the church. “Tyler told me that he prayed for two things while he was there: he prayed for a miracle and he prayed if God takes him that his two sisters will bring people to God the way he has through all the people praying for him. Once again, Tyler's strength is holding us together.”

At his young age, Tyler has figured out what gives life meaning. In his quiet, humble way, Tyler knows that he has helped others grow closer to God. He prays that his little sisters enjoy the same privilege in their lives. He knows that there is no greater calling.

It is incredibly easy to be seduced by this culture that tells us we are what we have or what we do or how we look. As the holidays get closer, the torrent of advertisements only reinforces that misleading message. The nightly news would have us worry and fret over all sorts of things. It is easy to lose focus on what really matters.

Jesus told us that there are two things in life that count, our relationship with others and our relationship with God. Thank you, Tyler, for reminding me of what is important and may God be with you.