Good people pass away; the godly often die before their time…No one seems to understand that God is protecting them from the evil to come. For those who follow Godly paths will rest in peace when they die.
Caden’s love for his family was fierce. He didn’t just love them; he cherished them, with every fiber of his being. Madison and Kinley, his older sisters, were his world. He was their constant supporter, their unwavering cheerleader. When they were together, it was a whirlwind of laughter, teasing, and tight hugs that spoke volumes about their bond.
But it wasn’t just his sisters who held a special place in his heart. There was Mimi, his great grandmother, with whom he shared a connection that transcended generations. Their talks were more than just conversations; they were moments of deep spiritual understanding and connection.
With his dad, Rob, he shared a love for music. They attended many concerts together and Caden was learning guitar to further his ministry. With his mom, Kristi, he found a different kind of magic as they explored the world of theater together. Caden delighted in his mother being in his school every day.
But Caden wasn’t just about family; he was about connections. He had this way of reaching out, of making everyone feel seen and heard. Whether it was through his many Christian endeavors, student council, football, or just a simple conversation in the hallway, he was a beacon of light in a sometimes dark world.
And then there was his faith. Oh, how he loved Jesus. From a young age his passion burned bright. He would write sermons and lead studies at Ignite. He could touch the toughest gang members’ hearts with his stories of Jesus’ love. You couldn’t help but find joy near him and know the truth and honesty of his words. On mission trips, we’d often find Caden with a little child on his shoulders or a Bible open in his lap. When he was just nine years old, standing at the entrance of a refugee camp in Greece, talking about the hope of heaven and the importance of sharing Jesus’ love. “We have the hope of heaven. If we go in there and die, we will spend eternity together in heaven. If we leave, who will share the hope of Jesus with them?” It was a moment that changed everything, igniting a fire within him that would never be extinguished. Before we left Greece, he chose to become one with Christ by having his dad baptize him in the Mediterranean sea.
And even on his last day, he was still spreading that love, still encouraging others to pursue the Lord. His faith was contagious, his love infectious. He came with a purpose and he fulfilled it by planting seeds with words and love.
God knew the number of his days and he gave Caden all the curiosity and excitement for the gospel, history and knowledge that he could fit in his head and in his heart in his short 15 years. His fire, joy, love, wisdom and exuberance are missed already. However, because we know where he was in his faith, there is no doubt of where he is eternally and for that we can rest easy. We know that our mighty warrior is alongside our Savior, preparing Heaven for all of us to join them.
Excerpt from Caden’s Prayer Journal
“God, use me for your glory! Help me to glorify you in everything. God, I surrender my flesh. I lay down myself. I want you to stay with me, God. Here I am, use me. Take me, You are worth everything! There are other people waiting on my surrender. Help me not to make this about myself but rather you, God! You are worth it! "