Most of you must have wondered why bad things happen to good people?

Most of you must have wondered why bad things happen to good people?

That's a question that most people struggle with from time to time, and it's been largely on my mind this past week.

While he was working with his son on a wooden structure, his hand got caught on a wood splitter. The damage was eventually so severe that his left arm had to be amputated.

My uncle, although no longer a young man, is very active and likes to work with his hands. He's right-handed, but using both hands was clearly an important part of his earlier life, and that's just as clearly going to have to change.

I was devastated when I heard the news, and I'm still shaken - even more so when I think about how much worse the accident could have been. My whole family is upset, especially Uncle Carl's wife and children, especially my cousin John who was with him at the time.

As I worked through my worries and grief, I kept asking myself: Why do bad things happen to good people?

I know people often say this when tragedy strikes, but it's not just a joke - it's a fact. My uncle is a good man.

He is a very strong family man who is still married to his high school sweetheart. She loves her four children as much as her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a devoted son when his parents were alive and is loved by his siblings, nieces and nephews. He and his wife have opened their home to many children and young people over the years and continue to open their home and hearts whenever family, friends or the community calls.

He worked hard all his life - working the land with his hands and mastering the machines, using his broad shoulders and strong muscles to complete any task that came before him.

He played an important role in his community as a volunteer firefighter and also as a cornerstone of his church congregation.

Yes, he is a good man, but his life was not easy, and I had to wonder why there was a need to add another burden to his heavy load.

Many Christians will say that God sends us trials to test us. And there may be some truth to that. Many of us are stronger than we think, and it takes tough challenges to make that clear.

But I didn't think that applied to my uncle - he's had many challenges throughout his life and I think he's in good control of his own powers.

However, loss also highlights what we have and what we may take for granted. Yes, my uncle had a difficult life, but he also had an extremely rewarding life. I don't think there's really much that my uncle would wish for or be envious of. 

Yes, his siblings may have more money and professional success, but I'm sure Carl wouldn't trade his wife and family for that money any day of the week. And I secretly suspect that if he actually had more money, it would be largely spent on his loved ones.

And he is very much loved by many people. Not only by his immediate and extended family, but also by the many people whose lives he touched.

I know there are prayers for him from coast to coast. I don't think he would trade that love and the respect that comes with it for all the professional success his siblings have enjoyed.

We can mourn with him for the loss of his hand, but we cannot pity him when we look at the many gifts God gave him.

What's more, when you step back and look at the man he is, you don't even notice the missing hand. He is much more than the sum of his parts, and ultimately it is the size of his heart that one notices the most.

It is important to note that it was his right hand that was preserved - the very hand that he extended so many times to others to offer love, friendship and help.