Why do bad things happen?

This question has been going through my mind a lot lately. Why do bad things happen, especially to children? Our friends, Kate's parents, have dealt with so much lately. Their 3 year old daughter, Kate, was diagnosed with leukemia in August. She is fighting the cancer, but also had to deal with aspergillus fungus on her hand a couple months back. She could have lost her hand, but God worked a miracle and cured the infection. She was doing well with her chemo and able to be at home for Christmas with her family. She went back into the hospital last Wednesday and now has pneumonia and possible another infection or fungus on her lungs. It brings tears to my eyes even to write about her. She is so brave, but so very sick right now. She is on oxygen to help her breathe. I cannot imagine having to go through this or watch one of my children suffer like that. Which brings me back to my question--why do bad things happen? Honestly, I don't know. I think sometimes it's to bring us closer to God. I've been hearing the same song on the radio almost every day this week at different times. It's a song by Natalie Grant, it's called "Our Hope Endures". It's no coincidence that I've heard that so much this week. I needed that song. Because even when bad things are happening to those I love & care about, I still have Hope. I have Hope that no matter what happens to Kate in this life, God is holding her in that hospital room right now. He has his arms around her & Susan, comforting them and carrying them through this trial. He is with those who have lost loved ones recently. Although their loved one has left them on this earth, I can just imagine the celebration that's been taking place in Heaven as Jesus welcomes them home.

So, I'm going to continue to pray for a miracle for Kate. That God would heal her tiny body of this cancer and infection. I'm also going to continue to have hope and trust in God's plan, which is always perfect. Will you join me?