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