Good, Evil, Tragedy, and the Lord

Today I stumbled upon a recent news story. Chris Picco, a new father, had to suffer not only with the death of his wife during childbirth, but also the eventual death of his newborn son, Lennon. For those three days he lived, Chris would play guitar and sing to his son. It was filmed with an intention to share it to friends and loved ones. I watched him strum and sing to his baby boy as they're separated in the NICU. It didn't hit me until several minutes after, and then I started crying for Chris Picco. I cried for this poor man as he was robbed of two people who meant the world to him. His life will never be the same.

Things like this happen every day. Disease and war and famine take the ones people cherish and bring darkness and despair into their lives. And one can't help but ask, "How could a loving God allow such things to happen? How could a loving God let a baby, a baby that's done nothing wrong, be taken from his father?"

There is an answer. Although it more often than not seems unable to alleviate our anguish. That answer is the Problem of Good.

For all the sadness to be found in the death of his wife and son, there is so much good that should be seen. What about the doctors that worked hard to save them? What about those few days that Chris Picco was able spend those precious moments with Lennon? What of those who are supporting Chris Picco as he suffers from this loss? Are there no good in these things?

I am not trying to marginalize this man's loss. This is indeed an awful, awful thing. I intend on praying for him (as I hope you, the reader, will) and have faith that he can move forward with the Holy Spirit working in him.

The significance of this tragedy has not yet been fully realized. There are so many possibilities of good that can come out of this. This video is reaching millions through youtube, touching hearts. If it motivates even one person to act, then there is good in that. Donations toward research. Awareness. The knowledge of how precious life is and how important it is to value ourselves and others. We, the body of Christ, must be the light of the world. A hope in utter despair. Christ's love through our actions. If there is great evil prevalent in this world, than the Church must overshadow it.

I conclude this with the words of Augustine.

"For the almighty God, who, as even the heathen acknowledge, has supreme power over all things, being Himself supremely good, would never permit the existence of anything evil among His works, if He were not so omnipotent and good that He can bring good even out of evil."

-L. Travis Hoffman

11/13/2014

http://www.wcnc.com/story/life/2014/11/13/father-sings-to-his-dying-newborn-son/18976709/