The Trauma of Child Loss

In this deeply moving episode, John Tinnin sits down with Kari Kaczan, author of A Light in Momentary Affliction, to discuss the profound grief of losing a child and the journey of navigating trauma through faith. Kari shares her heartbreaking yet hope-filled story of her son Christopher’s diagnosis with metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD), a rare and terminal disease, and the emotional and spiritual challenges that followed.

With raw honesty, Kari recounts the moments of shock, despair, and wrestling with God as she walked through the unimaginable pain of watching her son slowly lose his abilities. She opens up about the loneliness of grief, the difficulty of making impossible medical decisions, and the isolating reality of being part of a “club no one wants to join.”

Yet, in the midst of deep sorrow, Kari found an anchor in her faith. She speaks about the power of surrender, choosing to bring Jesus into her pain, and how lament became her path to healing. The conversation touches on depression, emotional numbness, and the ways grief affects relationships, but ultimately points to the hope and presence of Christ in suffering.

Listen as John and Kari discuss:

• The devastating reality of receiving a terminal diagnosis for a child.
• How grief unfolds in layers—both the “big” loss and the small, compounding ones.
• The challenge of making medical decisions when no clear path exists.
• The emotional and relational impact of loss, including isolation and changes in friendships.
• Why faith is not just a cliché but a sustaining force in the darkest moments.
• The importance of honest, unfiltered prayers—even if they include shouting at God.

Check out the book A Light in Momentary Affliction by Kari Kaczan to learn more about how bringing Jesus into suffering can transform the way we endure pain.

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