Riley sat by the window and watched as the sun slowly dropped behind the trees. Tears dripped down her face as she thought about the day’s events. Today during story time their teacher had read them a story about a man that died.

The story was about a man who had cancer and was struggling with it for a couple of years. His wife was always by his side, comforting him through all the trials that he faced. They were very Christian people and through all of their trials and tribulations they not once doubted the will of God for them in their lives. His wife sat at his bedside constantly praying that God’s will be done.

Riley sat and pondered this and then walked over to her mom.

“What’s wrong, sweetie?” asked her mom as she placed a dish in the sink and set down her rag.

“I was just thinking about the story my teacher read to us today, about a man that died from cancer,” replied Riley. “How could God let a man die like that, with all that pain?”

Riley watched as her mom walked over to the shelf and slid out the Bible. She guided Riley to her favorite chair, where they sank into it together.

“Riley, God gives us many trials in our lives, but he is in control of all things. He is constantly watching over his people. He loves his people and would never give to them more than what they can handle.”

“So God has our entire lives planned out for us?”

“Let me read to you one of my favorite verses. It is Jeremiah 29:11. ‘For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.’ The Lord has our entire lives planned out and we are not to worry about what is going to happen. We are in God’s hands.

“God loves us. So no matter what happens in our lives, God is in control.”