As we talked tearfully through another cancellation, my 12-year-old said, “It just seems like the bad outweighs the good this year.” And I got to tell her, “Life is not a balancing act between good and bad. That there’s any bad at all is unacceptable. That’s why Jesus came.”

I have had more gospel conversations this year than any other in my life. My firm conviction is that we’re wrong when we think the point of prayer is to end our suffering. Rather, the point of suffering is to lead us to prayer.

Sadness and grief have led us both to our knees so many times this year. I’d rather this cup had passed; nevertheless, I can’t say I regret how much we’ve truly seen that our needs are our best riches.