Happiness after hardship

During times of trial, it is easy to ask, “Lord, why do I have to experience (or endure) this hardship I am currently struggling through?” The apostle Paul was no stranger to adversity. He explained, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13 KJV). I like to add that God doesn’t just help us bear burdens but can bless us with joy and smiles once we endure these trials.

Our faith and endurance were tested as young parents expecting our third child. During the initial sonogram, the excitement of learning that we would have our first baby girl was overshadowed as the technician fell silent during the scan. After a few minutes, the technician excused herself and tears began streaming down Wendy’s cheeks. I was clueless as some young fathers are, but I recognized quickly that my wife was suffering terribly with the recognition that something was wrong with our baby.

The technician returned and told us to go directly to a local doctor to discuss the examination findings. We were paralyzed and frightened. Our visit with the specialist revealed that our precious little girl would not survive life outside the womb. The doctors informed us that aborting the fetus early in the pregnancy would be easier on Wendy physically. They guessed that nature would take its course in a matter of days or weeks. Already suffering, Wendy, with my support, decided that she would carry this infant as long as she could.

Days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months. Finally, in April, the day came that our little Kara would arrive into the world. With the natural proceedings of childbirth, we traveled to the hospital and straight into the Neonatal ICU. Our little angel was delivered to only live for a few moments. We were able to hold her and love her for a short time. We felt the undeniable presence of departed family and friends unseen. We believe they took our little girl to a beautiful place to wait for us to join her someday. It was a painful yet precious moment that can only be experienced through trial and acceptance. We had a beautiful burial and graveside ceremony soon after, and our family grew together through this experience.

At the time, we had decided that our little family was perfect and was everything we needed to be happy. That lasted a little over two years. Then we learned that Wendy was pregnant again! Feelings of joy were subdued by worry. Our doctors estimated a 25% chance of complications like Kara’s. Although hopeful, we were both concerned. Some findings during the routine sonogram of our fourth child indicated potential trouble yet again.

Wendy’s usually happy demeanor was somewhat lessened due to the stress of the unknown. Again, days turned into weeks and weeks into months. The day of the birth of our third son Cole had arrived. Wendy labored for a time and as our baby boy emerged, Wendy amazingly and purposely aided in her own childbirth. She took Cole immediately into her loving arms and upon inspection realized in her own motherly way that Cole was healthy, happy, and normal by all description. Her smile said it all. After months of anxiety carrying this baby, she couldn’t hold back her excitement. Our family was complete now and all the worry, fear, and unknown dissolved into a beautiful smile of pure joy.

Through this experience, we learned to endure hardship and find meaning and blessings in life’s challenges. We were able to bear these trials through faith and with divine support and comfort. We see God’s hand in our lives. We trust that he knows us. He sees our capacity and potential and will help prepare a path through our trials.

Rick Taylor is a businessman who has lived in Alaska most of his life. He enjoys the outdoors and spending time with his family and is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.