Protection and Healing 7-6-12

Protection and Healing Its one of those gorgeous summer days. The boys and I had Monday Morning learning this morning and they did a fantastic job. They were excited about learning and getting their work done. Afterwards, they went outside and played in their blow up pool, complete with a big raft that we are borrowing from Aunt Amy. They continuously run, jump and make the raft flip over with them on it, so that they will go under because of it. They love it. I think they have been out there for almost two hours. At one point, Noah got hurt. As all of my kids do when they are in pain of any kind, they take off running to find me, all the while calling my name, "Mama!!" As soon as they find me, they tell me what happened, show it to me, and fully expect that I will have a way of healing whatever ails them. Sometimes its a kiss. Sometimes a bandaid, sometimes something more invasive, or even just a cuddle. But they always come lookign for me. Everytime. They expect that I will have the answer. That I will make them feel better, both physically and emotionally. And I don't let them down. As a mom, if my kids are hurt, I desperately want to make it all better. Parenting, unlike anything else has made aspects of my relationship with the Lord, come alive. As Noah was running to me today, I was inside of the house and he was outside. I heard him calling and saw him running through the grass and towards the door. His response to pain, is to look for mom. I couldn't help but ask myself what my response to pain is. Do I immediately turn to my Father? Do I call on anyone? Do I rely on myself to get through it? And then I thought about my human capacity to question. When I am an enduring pain, I can be rather philosiphical about it. I can tell you my first inclination is not to immediately call upon the Lord. It usually happens eventually, but it is not a basic instinctual part of me like it is for my children to call me when they are hurt. And I often question. And then it hit me. When my kids get hurt, they dont blame me. They know I am in charge. That I desperately care for their well being and safety. But I give them opportunity. With freedom, comes risk. When my friend recently lost her thirteen year old son in Lake Michigan, part of me wanted to ban my children from ever swimming in the lake. But fear can go so far and bind us and overcome us if we are not careful. So this weekend, I let them go out. I was safe about it. I watched them closely. I instructed them on safety. But I let them be children. I let them make choices. I let them experience life. God gives us freedom. Freedom to choose. To experience life. And with that comes so much joy, but also a measure of sadness and pain and hurt and tragedy. But so often man blames God. Instead of running to Him, we shake our fists at Him. Instead of trusting Him as children trust adults, we question everything, like a teenager, as though we know best and God cant possibly understand our side of it. Instead of resting we, we strive. I would protect my children from pain. No question to that. And yet, I let them experience and have some measure of freedom to make decisions. Sometimes those decisions result in pain. I don't wish that pain upon my children, but it is part of the process. Part of living. Part of learning to make good decisions. Part of the journey. God CAN do anything, as opposed to me, as a parent. I get that. But I dont think that just because He can, it means that it is best that He does. I see a greater picture than my children do when I discipline them or when I teach them or even give them freedom. It brings me a measure of peace to know that God sees a bigger picture than I do. I understand a lot more with this whole parenting perspective. I understand that when we are hurt, we have to try again even with the risks. Get back on the bike. Get back in the ring. Fight for the marriage. Try again with that friendship. Offer forgiveness. Seek healing. And run with all of our might to the One who not only knows and plans our future, but loves us through it all.