Luke has been doing this thing with his head lately that cracks us up. He moves it from side to side...we call it dancing because he does it when he's happy. Last night as he was playing on the floor, he was dancing with his head, and his head started bumping into the ottoman. It didn't seem to bother him a bit. Of course, my motherly God-given instincts jump in, and I put my hand in the place of where his head was getting bumped, so that he would bump my hand instead of the ottoman. Luke didn't even notice that he was bumping my hand instead of the ottoman...he just kept dancing.
This reminds me of how much our Heavenly Father must protect us without us even knowing it...physically, emotionally, spiritually...I believe His hand gently protects us from painful "bumps" more than we'll ever know until we're with Him for eternity. I was encouraged this morning by reading David's psalms...
"Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings."
- Psalm 17:8
"The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies."
- Psalm 18:2,3
This isn't to say that our "bumps" in life mean God isn't protecting us. He's bigger than that. Sometimes, He allows us to go through those "bumpy" times in life in order that we might persevere and fall in love with Him even more.
"Consider it PURE JOY, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
- James 1:2,3
Evidence of this can be found in so many believers' lives. One such example is the Lawrenson family. Reading their story will amaze you!
Luke continued to bump my hand, and I knew that he needed to learn not to intentionally bump his head on things. So, I removed my hand and allowed him to feel slight pain in order for him to stop his actions. He stopped immediately.
I believe that we can learn from a nine-month-old what DISCIPLINE is. I can look back on times where God allowed me to experience some painful times in life as a result of my own sinful choices. He loved me too much to see me continue to hurt myself in my sin, just as Greg and I love Luke too much to see him continually hurt himself.
"Do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punishes everyone He accepts as a son."
- Hebrews 12: 5,6
Thank you, Lord, for your protection, your faithfulness through trials and your discipline when I am astray. Mostly, thank you for already teaching me through a precious nine-month-old boy.
1 comment:
This makes me feel safe. I like knowing my Father is watching and protecting me. Sometimes I forget that!
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