Most days start normal and end normal. Hints the word normal. Other days start normal and end in the ER with you wondering what your daughter-in-law will think about your son’s scar in 25 years.
I’ve always had this goal of wanting to be a fantastic mother-in-law. Yes, I want to be a great mother, but I feel like being a great mother-in-law takes it to a whole new level! There’s just peace that way. I’ve got some of the best in-laws ever. I mean I was going to hang out with mine as a high school kid far before my husband ever considered taking me out.
Anyway…
We went over to visit some friends (AKA role models/mentors/woman I’d like to become) house tonight. We hadn’t been there much more than 20 minutes when we found ourselves heading to the ER with our little man.
I was sitting there looking at the gash on his forehead trying to keep from throwing up and wondering about his scar.
Do we want to sedate him to have stitches? Do we want it to be glued? Do we want to take him to some plastic surgeon to see if we can lessen the scar at all. I was sitting there wondering if he’ll look in the mirror one day and hate that scar. If he’ll make up some fantastic story and love it. If all the little 14 year old girls will think it makes him look so tough. If someday that will be one of his wife’s favorite features about him because it’s uniquely his and she’ll know the story of how he got it.
I sit here thinking about all the decisions we make for our children. How much sugar do we feed them? Do we let them walk to school by themselves? Do we let them go out on their first date at 16 or 17 or 25? What music is okay? What music is not okay? Should I let them eat popcorn for breakfast…again?
If nothing else I hope my kids see that they are fiercely loved and that every decision we make was made in an attempt to do what’s best for each of them.
It’s in moments like these that I want nothing more than to take their hurt away. Here give me your bleeding forehead, pain, and scarring. Give me your heartache. Give me your sickness. Give me your addiction. Give me the burdens. I realize these struggles have the ability to build character and develop strength and are needed, but when you love so deeply you can’t help but to want to take the pain away.
Then I think about Jesus. Here! Let me take your pain, sin, burdens and let me clothe you in righteousness, freedom, peace, joy, heaven…and so much more!
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (Matthew 11:28-30, MSG)
To be fiercely loved by the creator of the universe! That’s a bit of goodness right there!
Happy Monday!