Children bring pain. There's no way around it. Their very entrance is marked with pain - and that's the easy part! They painfully point out our sin, weaknesses, selfishness, failures, and shortcomings. They push us toward the cross to find strength and forgiveness found only in Christ.
Sometimes they bring physical pain. Most, if not all, parents can relate to the "head butt" pain. The other night at bible study I was changing Joey's shirt. Sitting on the floor, he squatted in front of me. All was going well until he, suddenly and with great force, pushed upward colliding with my face. Thankfully, he missed the nose shove, but did manage to produce a nice puffy, bloody lip. Even after almost 15 years of parenting, my first reaction was to scream. God's grace allowed it to be silent and inward. I'm always surprised at the reaction physical and emotional pain brings to my soul.
Of course, it was an accident. I got the blood stopped and Joey dressed. Now I've been humbled this week as I talk with people realizing that my lip has a huge looking sore on it. I want so badly to explain how it happened. . .but it really doesn't matter, does it? Who cares if it's a cold sore, herpes, or an "ouchie" anyway. It's there. A reminder of my continued dependence on One so much greater than myself!
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