The Hopecast with Rachael Flick
In February of 2018, Rachael’s husband Micah was murdered in the line of duty. Micah was shot while protecting fellow police officers and citizens who came under fire during the arrest of a car thief. Micah left Rachael, and their seven year old twins, behind in his act of heroism. Devastated by the death of the future she and Micah had dreamed of together, Rachael nevertheless refused to succumb to her circumstances. She began testing and applying practical skills to grieve well and grow through the painful, traumatic experiences. In The Hopecast, Rachael and her guests will share their stories on their journeys of resilience. These stories will motivate and encourage you with clarity, direction and healing. Listen and meet the people who have been empowered by hope. Come and learn the skills to face your past and prepare for your wholehearted future. The Hopecast with Rachael Flick: “Stories of Resilience from People Like You” To find out more go to rachaelflick.com
The Hopecast with Rachael Flick
The Hopecast with Rachael Flick-Episode 143-Losing Baby Collin: A Father Shares How His Son's Short Life Changed Him Forever with guest Chad Otruba Part 2
🎧 The Hopecast with Rachael Flick
Episode 143 – “Losing Baby Collin: A Father Shares How His Son's Short Life Changed Him Forever”
Guest: Chad Otruba
đź“… October 21, 2024
🎙️ Overview
In this heart-wrenching and deeply vulnerable episode, Chad Otruba shares the story of his newborn son Collin, who was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, a rare, congential condition. As a father and active-duty service member, Chad walks us through the unimaginable pain of watching his child be rushed to Phoenix Children’s Hospital, the helplessness of not being able to fix what was broken, and the moment he knew his son’s life would be far too short.
“And in that moment, I’d never seen a group of people more puzzled and confused in my whole life. They knew immediately—he was a very complex case… and we needed help.”
What follows is a raw and moving conversation about grief, anger, faith, and the fight to hold onto hope when everything seems lost. Chad speaks honestly about the questions he wrestled with, including why God would allow this kind of suffering and what it means to still trust God in the darkest valley.
“It wasn’t just losing my son—it was losing the future I imagined, and feeling like God didn’t show up when I needed Him most.”
🔎 Key Takeaways:
- Facing anger toward God: Chad candidly shares how he wrestled with rage, doubt, and sorrow—and how that struggle became part of his healing process.
- How grief changes your identity: The loss of his son forced Chad to reexamine who he was as a father, a man, and a believer.
- Clinging to faith through pain: Even in his deepest moments of doubt, Chad found flickers of hope and comfort in God’s presence and the prayers of others.
- The power of presence and community: Chad talks about what it meant to have people simply show up—and how powerful compassion without answers can be.
- Letting Collin’s life leave a legacy: Though short, Collin’s life profoundly impacted Chad’s heart and reshaped how he views love, parenting, and eternity.
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