A Different View

Recently I've found big meaning in some little things in life. I love the way that we learn about life and God through our kids.

Scenario #1

Last Saturday we were headed out on a family outing. We needed to drop Bruce's Land Cruiser off at a shop in town for an inspection. It was 78 degrees, the top was off, and there was only ONE car seat buckled into the back of the Cruiser. Naturally Emma climbed right into the Cruiser and started buckling herself to go for a ride.

I loaded the car and buckled Wesley into the boring but perfectly suiting Camry. Not before I clicked the last buckle, Wes caught a glimpse of Emma in the Cruiser, and his world instantly fell apart. He started wailing and screaming, tears streaming down his bright red face. Riding with their Daddy is their favorite thing to do.

I tried reassuring Wesley that when we picked up the Cruiser at the end of the day, it would be his turn to ride in the Cruiser. He continued to scream the ENTIRE way to the shop, until Emma and Daddy joined us in the Camry.

My words meant nothing to Wesley, but only because his 22 month old mind did not have the capacity to understand what I was saying. My heart broke for Wesley. I understand exactly why he was upset, and I knew there was no way that I could help him understand that in time he would have his "heart's desire". I didn't mind that he was crying, I love that he loves to go with his daddy. It's part of who he is.

Later I feel like the Lord showed me a parallel. In the same way that Wesley didn't understand the whole picture, often times I don't understand the whole picture. Right now, I'm really sad. My heart really hurts, and I cannot imagine what the Lord could do to redeem this situation, but he will. My human mind doesn't have the capacity to understand the plans and the works of the Lord. But I believe in the truth of God. I believe that the Lord will work this out for good, because I love him. Just like I wished Wesley could trust me that day, the Lord wants me to trust Him...and so I do.

Later in the day, it was Wesley's turn to ride home in the Cruiser. He grinned from ear to ear the entire ride home. I don't think he even remembered the torture he was put through earlier in the day. I think joy of the moment was worth the wait.

Scenario #2

Emma brought home a helium balloon from a birthday party. It was a source of joy for the kids for days, until one day we came home...it was starting to deflate. Emma saw the balloon and immediately asked "why did Jesus make the balloon lose it's air?"

It shocked me that Emma would instantly "blame" Jesus for the loss of helium. Jesus didn't make the balloon lose it's air. It's because of science, that's just what happens to a balloon. And then it hit me, that, as ungodly as it sounds, it was my first human instinct to blame Jesus for Olivia's death. After Olivia was born I asked, "Why? Why would you do this to her? To me?". It wasn't until Emma asked about the helium that I realized just how absurd that was. Jesus didn't take Olivia. Death and sickness happen because we live in a fallen world.

Thank you Jesus for giving your life on the cross to overcome the world and give us life eternally. And thank you for the view from a child.

Plan B

A friend of mine shared this on facebook. I could listen to this everyday. Definitely worth the time.

http://www.newspring.cc/series/pete-wilson/plan-b/#ooid=gybnBqMTrN-bxN-C2OBYKRaqXXwm0IIh