A Lesson Learned From Getting Shots

Every once in a while, I want to share a short lesson I have learned about God since becoming a parent.  Hope you enjoy:

A disclaimer before I start: let me just say that this post is NOT a statement about getting vaccines or not getting them.  Honestly I am so over the parent judging that goes around and I am simply not going to be a part of it.  This story just happens to include my child getting vaccines.  Can you please read it without seeing some sort of statement on what you should be doing with your child?  I would appreciate it!

A couple of weeks ago I took our “little guy” in for a regular checkup.  He had to get 3 shots while we were there.  It can be such an awful experience (more for me than him it often seems).  During it I was reminded of something that I know about God, but has become so much more real to me as a parent.  When the pain first hit little guy, he looked right up into my face and began to cry and he looked at me like I had betrayed him.  That hit me right in the heart.  He didn’t understand what was happening, so he only knew that mommy was there, and that she was letting him be hurt.  But as the mother, I understood that this pain is actually for his good in the long run.  I knew that the pain would bring about protection from far worse things and so I must allow it to happen.  Isn’t that like God?  I know that in the midst of difficult things, I have looked up to Him and said, “Why are you letting this happen to me?  It hurts so much and you could make it stop.  Why don’t you?”  And He can only remind me that He has my good in mind and that this pain will bring about good in the long run.  We can trust Him!

After the shots were done, I immediately picked up my little guy and held him close. And the amazing part is, he quit crying right away.  He found comfort in my arms and was back to normal very soon.  What a precious picture for us to hold onto!  We can find comfort in our Father’s arms.  He is always there to soothe our hurts.  We can lay our burdens at His feet and know that He cares about us and loves us.

I don’t know what is going on in each of your lives, but I know this: God is sovereign over it, and God is good.  That will never change.  Find your comfort in His arms today and in the knowledge that He is working even the painful things for your good.

I remember my affliction and my wandering,
    the bitterness and the gall. 

I well remember them,
    and my soul is downcast within me. 

Yet this I call to mind
    and therefore I have hope:

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
    for his compassions never fail. 

They are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.

I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
    therefore I will wait for him.”

Lamentations 3:19-24

Soli Deo Gloria, 

Jessica

No Small Thing

One of my favorite movies is “You’ve Got Mail.”  In the movie, there is a line that Meg Ryan’s character says that has stayed with me for a long time. She says, “I live a small life. Valuable, but small.”  I think that resonates with me because that is how I feel about my own life. The day in and day out routine of my life sometimes seems so insignificant, and in some ways it is.  It isn’t earth shattering that I changed 5 diapers today or cooked three meals, or did the dishes or taught a few piano lessons or homeschooled.  And because of that, it is easy to feel like my life doesn’t mean much.  But God has really opened my eyes lately and continues to encourage me that even small lives can be used in great ways for His glory. Here are some things He has helped me to see and I hope they can encourage some of you as well.

*Each meal that I prepare, cook, serve and clean-up is a gift to my family.  I am providing the strength they need to grow, learn and survive the day. I am saying to them: you are valuable, you are important and I am working hard to provide for your basic needs. That is no small thing.

*When I clean my home, pick up toys, do laundry, etc., I am working to give my family a safe haven.  I am showing my husband that I value his hard work and I that I am also working hard to give him a peaceful home and a place to recharge.  I am teaching my children about hard work and not being idle. I am saying to each guest that comes to our house that I value them.  And I am making our home a place of order, rest and peace. That is no small thing.

*Teaching my children is a hard and wonderful thing.  What a heavy responsibility it is, but such a blessing.  I am training up the next generation to know and follow Christ.  The fruits of my work will be evident down the road, even if I can’t see it now, and that is no small thing.

*Only by God’s grace, I have been given gifts in music and each time I use them, whether by teaching piano lessons or by leading in worship, God can take those small efforts of mine and do bigger things than I am capable of on my own.  Music can be a balm for a weary soul or a wonderful way to express joy and worship.  Being able to use my gifts to help people encounter God in worship is a great privilege and it is no small thing.

*Each time I encourage a friend, open my heart with someone or pray for those in my life, I am being used by God to speak truth. He has placed people in my life who may need the testimonies and words I can give. And praying for people makes a difference. Being used by Him in that way is no small thing.

All around me, I see God doing BIG things in people’s lives.  And it is so amazing to be able to support and pray for those families.  But, it can be easy to wonder sometimes, why not me?  Is it ok for my life to feel sort of ordinary?  I think the answer is YES.  We can’t always see how God is working and it may be years and years before I see any of the fruits of my labor.  Still, I must press on in my small life, giving the gift of my time and effort, knowing that big things always start from small things.  My prayers, tears and labors are going to produce a harvest, in God’s timing.  And I am ok with that.  I don’t want to be lazy and never attempt the radical things, but I also need to be content in the times when God has simply asked me to be faithful.  And right now, that is in my home with my little family.  

May I encourage you today if your life seems small?  Don’t believe the lie that because your life seems small that it isn’t of value.  Do the things God has put before you with all of your heart, for His glory.  Your list will look different than mine, but take some time to think about the ways God is using you.  Do it, not to make you feel better about yourself, but to help you give glory to God for how He is using you. I know that God often takes the small things (remember the mustard seed anyone?) and does bigger things than we could even hope for.  I am choosing to trust Him for the results.  Will you join me?

Soli Deo Gloria,

Jessica