The other day I took my not-so-little baby girl for her 12
month immunizations. As we waited in the waiting room, she had no idea what was
on the horizon. She sat on a chair eating her cracker, waved at strangers, and
smiled without a care in the world.
I wasn’t looking especially forward to what I knew what was
coming. I knew she wouldn’t be open to the multiple injections especially once
she received the first one and knew what to expect.
As the nurse stuck her with one needle after the other, the
crocodile tears started falling. She screamed and cried, trying to resist and I
will never forget the face she gave me when she looked up at me.
It was as if she was saying, “Why aren't you doing something about this?! Don’t you realize this is
hurting me?!”
As she struggled, I just held her close and promised her it
would be okay. I knew the pain was temporary and it would be over soon. I wasn't going to leave her alone. Like my wise mother always says, “This too shall
pass.”
She cried and cried but sure enough, within a matter of
minutes, she’d made a full recovery, and after a 3 hour afternoon nap she was a
happy camper once again. Later that night her dad said, you wouldn't even know
she was stuck with so many needles today!”
She’s too young to understand, but I know as her mom, that the
short term discomfort is going to benefit her in the long run. It will make her
immune system stronger and protect her from some otherwise avoidable and
painful illnesses. I could’ve told the nurse to stop after one, but then I
would be leaving her exposed to other things that would cause an even greater
amount of pain. That minute of pain and discomfort, while at the time, probably
seemed like the end of the world to her, was for her own good.
It seems like this year so far has been characterized by
painful situations for many people close to my heart. Innocent babies with
serious health conditions, marital struggles, parenting struggles, other health
risks, death of loved ones, complications with pregnancy and labor… I could go
on.
This morning I was reminded by Peter in his first letter
that, “for a little while you may have
had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven
genuineness of your faith- of greater worth than gold, which perishes even
though refined by fire- may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ
is revealed.”
Often, when faced with trying circumstances, we are tempted
to turn to God in the midst of our pain and say, “Why aren’t you doing something about this? Don’t you realize this is
hurting me?!”
In my own experience, God hasn’t answered that first
question. The second one though, I feel like He has said something to this
effect: “Yes, I do know how much pain you’re in. I’m right here with you, holding
you close. Take comfort in my arms. Trust me. This is just for a little while. I’m
preparing you, strengthening, equipping you and testing you. There’s something so
much better on the other side of this.”
I pray that no matter how painful a trial you may be going
through today, that you rest in His arms. Trust Him in the trial. Look for what
He is saying, doing, teaching and testing. Know that the temporary pain will
have some eternal gain.
May our lives become testimonies of His presence to those
around us, so when they look they say, hypothetically, "You'd never know you've been stuck with so many needles!"
I think Laura Story said it best in her song, "Blessings": “Pain reminds us that this
is not our home.”
Look forward to heaven. Look forward to an intimate walk
with Him. Look forward to a deeper level of faith and trust.