Nine years ago, a married couple in Colorado lost their 6-year-old son after a brief battle with cancer. The time from his diagnosis to his final breath was not quite a full year.
As I was listening to his mother share their story with me in a call recently, she recounted moment after moment that revealed how her little boy, Tyler, displayed a maturity and faith rarely seen even in adults. Through his life, she and her husband learned so much about God, sanctification, and eternity.
“He never complained. Not once that entire time,” she told me. “The only thing close to that was him telling me once, ‘Mom, I don’t like cancer.’”
As any mother would, she responded that she would take his place in a heartbeat.
“But then you would have cancer,” he said profoundly.
Tyler could have complained about the pain and limitations of his little body and no one would have blamed him. Yet somehow, he didn’t. And meanwhile, we grumble about traffic, the weather, shipment delays, or a wrong food order.
His mother went on to share stories of Tyler’s joy, generosity, humility, and wisdom – how he spoke of wanting to meet Jesus. As cancer took over his body week after week, he became determined – in true boy fashion – to be the first in his family to see Him.
As I prepare to write about this family’s story for an upcoming assignment, I can’t help but praise God for Tyler’s life and how it glorified Christ.
With cancer or anything else, our afflictions are small and momentary in the grand view of eternity. So why do we, even as believers, grumble so much?
“For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
The Israelites were known as the people of God, but often remembered for their grumbling more than their gratitude. They complained about a lack of food, then complained when God provided it. They complained about their leaders, their conditions, and even longed to return to slavery in Egypt. They complained about the harsh words the prophets said and later they grumbled when Jesus healed on the Sabbath.
It’s easy to read their story and shake our heads, but if our own words and thoughts were written down, how different would they look?
Instead of grumbling, what if we made it a habit to speak gratitude – to thank God for food and clean water, a warm bed, and a safe home. For electricity and all the modern comforts we often take for granted. For family, health, and fresh air. For God’s Word and the ability to commune with Him in prayer throughout the day. For our church family and God’s promises to always be with His people.
I am certain that Tyler had bad days in his short life, but what’s clear is that he didn’t dwell on his suffering or the brokenness around him. He didn’t grumble about his condition or his care. He simply lived as a humble child who trusted His Creator – and looked forward to seeing Him.
That’s the kind of faith I want – simple, surrendered, and childlike.
“Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:4
Reflect:
- What are some things you are grateful for that you can thank God for today?
- How does Tyler’s attitude encourage you to have a childlike faith?
- What would it look like for you to have a childlike faith this week?
Read more:
Matthew 18:1-6; Hebrews 12:1-2; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Photo by Inggrid Koe on Unsplash
All scripture references are from the English Standard Version, unless otherwise noted.
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Anna Moore 
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