Dear My Lovely Lilyana,

You’ve been a trooper these past several years. I know the frequent flare ups of eczema are uncomfortable. Itchy skin is not fun, especially when you’re trying to fall asleep at night. Several nights ago you asked when mom was treating your skin, “Why did God make me this way?” I could tell you were curious but I could also tell you were a little sad.

As your dad, I love your question because it shows me just how wise you are even at six years old. Your question tells me that you believe God made you. You are right to give God the credit for this. The Bible tells us in Psalm 139:14, “Wonderful are his works.” You are one of his works. God, the master artist, made you and calls you wonderful.

You and I have laughed over Daddy’s crooked nose. But even Daddy’s crooked nose is something God delights in because that’s how he’s made me. We are beautiful pieces of art that God has drawn up. You are one of his masterpieces. Never forget that!

Your question also tells me that you believe God has a purpose for how he made you. To ask “why” means you believe God has a reason for doing what he does. You are right about this, too. “The Lord has made everything for its purpose” (Proverbs 16:4). 

So back to your question, “Why did God make me with eczema?

I’ll be honest. I can’t pretend to know all of the reasons why God made you with eczema, but I do know a couple. 

First, I know God made you with eczema so that you can get to know more of God. 

I know honey is a favorite food of yours. Mine too. I mean, how can you not like honey? But there’s something that you need if you want to taste the honey–a spoon. How else will you get the honey to your mouth? Without the spoon, you won’t know just how sweet the honey is. 

God is way better than we can imagine. He wants us to know his love, his power, his kindness, and so many other things. To know God is better than tasting honey. But one of the ways God allows us to experience him is through hard things. The hard things become the spoon that gets the sweetness of God into our hearts. Eczema is the spoon that God will use, if you let him, so that you get to know more of God’s strength and comfort. In those moments when your skin gets itchy and it’s hard to sleep, pray and ask him for help. He loves to help those who ask for it. 

Secondly, I know God made you with eczema so that one day you can help others.

You’ve gotten to know some people from the Bible that went through some difficult times. Joseph is one of them. His brothers didn’t treat him very well. Even still, God used everything Joseph went through–even the bad stuff– to help out his friends and family.

Perhaps you remember the story of Amy Carmichael. We’ve read her story a lot at bedtime. She wondered why God made her with brown eyes. She prayed and prayed for God to change them to blue. God never did and she couldn’t understand why. 

Years later, God told her to help children in India. The people in India had brown skin and brown eyes. So, Amy would rub her skin with coffee and then slip into temples to rescue kids who were in danger. Her coffee stained skin and brown eyes allowed her to blend in more easily. It was then Amy realized that God had given her brown eyes for a special purpose. 

I’m not sure what special purpose God has in mind for why he made you with eczema, but time will tell for how he will use it in some ways to help others. 

One final thought. 

When I leave for work everyday, you might know some of the things Daddy is up to but not everything. Even though you don’t know all Daddy does, you believe I love you and I’m working to provide for you. 

Likewise, we don’t always know what God is up to. We don’t always know the exact reasons as to why he does something. But even when the answers are unclear, you can trust God loves you and that God is up to your good. 

From your Dad who loves you biggggg much!