The Caleb Years: When God Doesn't Make Sense

by David Ingerson

What would you do if you were led to believe by the doctors that your newborn child's life would be very short? What if the doctors told you your son would live at most only a couple of days? Would you give up, resigning yourself to simply trust the doctors' pessimistic assessment, or would you fight for his life against all odds? When his fourth child was born, author and inspirational speaker, David Ingerson was faced with these troubling questions. The Caleb Years is a refreshing and inspirational account of the author's journey through the treacherous waters of uncertainty and the deep emotional wounds parents of a chronically ill child must endure. The author's vivid descriptions of each circumstance and deeply compelling emotion will put the reader in middle of his story - identifying with his pain and struggles, but also rejoicing in his victories.

296 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2014

About the author

David P. Ingerson is an exciting communicator who has spoken to audiences around the world. During his twenty-four years as a U.S. Air Force officer and pilot, he traveled extensively and lived abroad with his family. From the time he served as a teacher and evangelist in Okinawa, Japan, he has trained and led teams on short-term missions to the Philippines and Cambodia, declaring the Good News in a compelling and clear fashion.

As a corporate pilot, he has traveled to nearly every country on five continents and takes with him great respect and appreciation for the myriad of cultures he encounters.

Having suffered his own share of trials and setbacks as an entrepreneur, he encourages both employees and customers to rise above life’s difficulties.
Given his track record of overcoming challenges, David has credibility when he exhorts others to consider that the path to success is found and walked with intentionality and hard work, rather than glamour and ease.

He is genuine and passionate as he encourages his listeners to honestly admit their own challenges and disappointments. Through his personal story of triumph through tragedy, he spurs others to rise above life’s frustrations and yet overcome in spite of intimidating obstacles.

David and his wife, Kathleen, are the parents of five children and make their home in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Reviews

[Cyndi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an incredible book-The reason to read this book is as infinate as Caleb's reach will have on this world. You should read this book if intereste in any of these topics..

A father's love.
A mother's love.
A Sibling's love, etc you get my point
Any grief regardless of if it was the loss of a child or elderly parent, natural cause or horrific crime.
Heart disease.
Birth defects.
Military life.

I could go on an on..it really is a book written in a way that it will find a way to TOUCH anyone who picks it up.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engrossing true tale of a father's struggle to lead his family through his child's medical crisis after crisis. Honest & detailed, it offers hope and inspiration for those (all of us!) finding themselves in dark & difficult times. There are moments of pain & humor, suspense & peace. I enjoyed this book & couldn't put it down.

[Linda Cummings · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful and heart-wrenching, this book takes you deep into the joys and struggles of the Ingerson family as they grapple with the grim realities of having a chronically ill baby with severe physical defects. David is brutally honest about his emotions and reactions throughout the Caleb Years. David's reliance on God and His Word is sincere without being preachy, and he never becomes glib - never tries to pretend that his faith in the Rock somehow made the pain and loneliness go away or be 'ok'. He is especially adept at describing the incredible loneliness that comes with dealing with this sort of life crisis. This book will be a help to anyone going through hard times that seem grossly unfair and impossible to bear.

In the spirit of transparency, I have known David and Kathy since his cadet days. I shared an apartment with them and my ex for three months in our before-children days, taking daily walks with Kathy. We arrived in Okinawa one month before Caleb's birth, and we were stationed in the DC area when Caleb passed away. I still remember receiving the awful news when Caleb was born, and following their journey via email. David's writing far exceeded my expectations - I was blown away by his brutal honesty, even about things of which I am sure he is not proud - and by the beauty that somehow surfaces despite the hardships.

[W. Whalin · Rating 3 out of 5]

David and Kathleen ingersons had three normal, healthy children but then Caleb arrived. In a heart-beat this family was in crisis. The details are in THE CALEB YEARS. Clinging to their faith, the Ingersons learned moving lessons in the pages of this book.

If we think about it, everyone knows someone in their church or circle of friends who is in crisis. Reading this book can be a comfort and strength to the reader's own crisis. There are nagging questions of why but as Kathy Ingerson writes in the Epilogue, "Humbled, my why questions no longer seemed so important or necessary. I was no longer plagued by my anxious need to understand. I would trust in the One who had sacrificed all for me." (Page 288)

There is some challenging reading in this book but it combines with valuable insights about the life of faith for every Christian.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book for all of us to help us through our most difficult times

[Debbie Petzold · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Caleb Years is a book that was challenging to read, because David Ingerson takes you on the emotoinal journey he and his family went through in the birth and death of their fourth child. David writes with a forthrightness that is hard to escape. He and his wife Kathy went on a journey no parent wants to take or grandparent wants to watch your children go through. David writes in a way that makes you feel you are watching their story unfold right before their eyes. This story isn't a sugar-coated one; several times, I was shocked at his reaction to a few situations, and I thought maybe he didn't need to be so honest and have his overbearing personality show - especially in a situation with his wife. However, as your child is born critically ill to which you had no clue, your child goes on to have 10 major surgeries, and your navigating life for your other 3 young children and make a move from overseas from your military base, you can't help but have that stress squeeze out. But, David has a steadfast faith that is unshakable. He and his wife Kathy never shy away from their faith, but lean hard on it. Even when the story ends the way no parent or reader wants it to end, David still writes with hope and my faith was strengthened by their trials. Many pictures are included in the The Caleb Years, and Caleb's smile makes your whole day brighter. This book is raw and honest and hard to put down.

[Amy Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can be a very skeptical person when it comes to reading non fiction from a first person pov. I always think it's skewed somehow in the author's favor - but I found this story to be refreshingly forthcoming and honest. It's a sad story with victory at the end (as all good stories are), and even in the sadness, it manages to be sweet and also has quite a bit of humor! I still chuckle when I think about certain bits (which I won't detail so as not to spoil) You also don't want to miss the mom's chapter at the end.

[Susan L Meister · Rating 4 out of 5]

You don’t begin this book without already knowing it’s going to be heartbreaking and lead to tears (which it did). That being said, I found Ingerson’s descriptions of his feelings and emotions to be rather repetitive. I would have loved this story so much more had it been a collaboration with his wife, Kathleen.

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a cute little boy, Caleb. The battle for his life and the faith of his father and mother.

[Maggie Raab · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an incredible, intriguing story🩷