Things that sting...

Emma Reese had her 3 month shots today (we're following Dr. Sears' Alternative Vaccine schedule) and let me tell you, it was not easy! If you're a parent, you are probably cringing just thinking about it, remembering your own experiences with taking your children in for immunizations. You hold them in your lap (if you're lucky--sometimes they hold them down while you watch) as the nurse comes at your little one with a long, sharp syrenge. They look up at you with big, unknowing eyes, then the nurse jabs them in the thigh. Silent wailing (you know, the kind of cry that doesn't produce any sound for the longest time because it is so intense?) followed by shrieks, tears flowing, and then the worst of it--they look up at you with pain in their eyes and the "How could you let this happen to me?" expression. Why do we do it? Because it is best for them.

There are a lot of things in our everyday lives that sting in much the same way: loss of a job, loved one or spouse; financial troubles; heartache; natural disasters. These things leave many to arrive at one of two conclusions: 1) God doesn't exist because a good God would never allow bad things to happen or 2) God doesn't love me or He wouldn't be putting me through this horrible situation. But the fact of the matter is, God KNOWINGLY allows bad things to happen to us. He walks us right up to the needle, allows us to take the sting, all the while knowing it was BEST FOR US. God works everything together for GOOD for those that love Him. What could His purposes be, you may ask? To make us stronger, to deepen our faith and dependence upon Him, to prepare us to minister to someone else in that situation, etc.

How we choose to react to the sting is totally up to us. We can cry out in protest and anger, blaming God and becoming bitter, or we can allow Him to comfort us while He makes us stronger, teaches us, cares for us, and ultimately makes us more like Himself. Consider Job when you are going through a time of difficulty, who, after God allowed Satan to take away everything that he had and disease his body, said, "Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?"

Put Your arm around me...

Last week was the first time Riley has really "held" his baby sister. I sat her beside him on his Elmo couch as she's now very interested in sitting up. I instructed him to place his arm around her to help keep her steady. Thankfully, I had my camera nearby to capture the moment: a big brother taking his little 3 month old sister under his wing. She felt so safe and secure, I'm sure, sitting with her big brother.

Sometimes I feel like I want someone to put their arm around ME and tell me everything is going to be okay... someone to keep me steady in times of turmoil... someone to carry my burdens. And then I remember that my heavenly father says, Come to me all you who are heavy laden and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28) REST. In three years of being a mother, I can recall very few nights where I have slept uninterrupted. The idea of rest seems unattainable at times... an unreachable goal ...a luxury a select few (those without children! lol)can afford. But He promises us real rest for our weary souls. The kind of unshakable rest that can withstand anything that life throws at us. All we have to do is trust Him and allow Him to put His all-knowing, all-powerful arm around us. Then, by some sweet miracle, through is grace and mercy, comes what we have been longing for....REST.