Becky Kopitzke

Devotions for Moms

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It Hurts Because I Love You

April 16, 2012

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you,” (1 Peter 5:7).

I dreaded this appointment for weeks. On the surface it was a routine wellness visit—height, weight, heartbeat, pick a sticker from the bucket. My girls have been through the doctor drill before. But this was a special rite of passage—the five-year checkup.

Which meant kindergarten immunizations.

Uh-huh. You get me.

Shots are never fun. It’s hard enough to spring them on my babes when they’re tiny and oblivious, but dragging a 5-year-old to the doctor’s office for pre-K vaccines felt like walking the plank. She knew what was coming. And I was a conspirator in her misery.

Whether you’re an advocate for shots or not, any mom can relate. There are all sorts of necessary pains we must inflict on our children for the sake of their health—stitches, blood draws, throat cultures, rectal thermometers—ewww, I’m squeamish just thinking about it—yet it’s difficult to explain to young senses that this is for your own good.

The discomfort will help you, protect you, and equip you.

It hurts now so you can be spared more hurt later.

All they can feel is the ouch.

Aren’t we just like our children? We kick and scream when life stings. We don’t understand. We try to wriggle free. We see God not as our Healer, but as the guy jabbing the needle.

What if, instead, we ascribed to him a different role? The role of the parent.

The One who holds our hands steady through the prick. The One who sings softly in our ear when we whimper. The One who promises a Happy Meal when the trial is over.

The One who feels our pain, cries our tears, and loves us enough to let us hurt.

My daughter was a trooper. She lay still, clutched my fingers, and took the hit like a big girl. Of course afterward she milked those shots for all they were worth.

“Mommy, can I have a Tootsie Roll because I was so good at the doctor?”

Sweetheart, you can have two. And pass your Mom one while you’re at it. We were brave today. I’m proud of both of us.

If this post encouraged you, please pass it on. You might also like Life Is a Highway, When Trials Come, and Whatever the New Year Brings.

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Filed Under: Doctor Mom, God's Love, Parenting, Raising Young Kids, Trusting God

Comments

  1. Ashley Ditto says

    April 16, 2012 at 1:11 pm

    Becky, this is so sweet. I love how you said- ascribe him a different role. We actually talked about this very thing in church yesterday- thin of Jesus as your Heavenly “Dad”. I loved this!
    Have a blessed day!

    • Becky says

      April 16, 2012 at 2:21 pm

      Thank you for sharing that, Ashley! I love it when God speaks to us in themes. Sounds like a great sermon.

  2. Kim says

    April 16, 2012 at 2:45 pm

    A God who is not a far-off, so distant, doesn’t know me God, but a Father who cares and who cradles and loves enough to let us fail.

    Thanks for this lovely and comforting picture of God, one I cling to in my frailty and brokenness!

    • Becky says

      April 20, 2012 at 2:22 am

      Amen, Kim! We can indeed cling to Him!

  3. jeanne @ Inspiring Ideas says

    April 18, 2012 at 2:18 pm

    Uh, did you say “kindergarten?” See how fast it goes?????????

    • Becky says

      April 18, 2012 at 2:20 pm

      Yep. Sniffle, sniffle…

  4. Erica {let why lead} says

    April 19, 2012 at 2:40 pm

    This post makes me think of growing pains. Growing pains experienced by our children, growing pains as we mothers watch them grow, growing pains as we experience God stretching us. Thank you, Becky. Enjoy your weekend!

    • Becky says

      April 19, 2012 at 5:39 pm

      Great thoughts, Erica! Those growing pains are often uncomfortable but for such good purpose. I agree!

  5. Donna says

    April 19, 2012 at 8:14 pm

    Thank you for such a beautiful post. I am your newest follower.

    • Becky says

      April 20, 2012 at 2:20 am

      Welcome, Donna! Thanks so much for joining me here!

  6. At The Picket Fence says

    April 19, 2012 at 10:12 pm

    This is such a wonderful post and I relate to it on every level! 🙂 I found you through Richella’s party and just so enjoyed stopping by!
    Vanessa

    • Becky says

      April 20, 2012 at 2:21 am

      Thank you for visiting, Vanessa!

  7. Nellie's Cozy place says

    April 23, 2012 at 1:11 pm

    What a great post with a great incite.
    Loved it………..
    as I have been having some ouchies lately,
    but have come to see the Lord is tweaking! lol
    Thanks for sharing this lovely analogy……….

    Blessings, Nellie

    • Becky says

      April 24, 2012 at 6:59 pm

      Blessings to you, too, Nellie! Thanks for reading!

  8. Richella says

    April 24, 2012 at 4:19 pm

    LOVE this! Wonderful object lesson. God is so good to allow us to be parents–to give us a little glimpse into his caring heart!

    Thank you so much for joining Grace at Home!

    • Becky says

      April 24, 2012 at 7:01 pm

      Thank you, Richella! I found you through Erica@ Let Why Lead and have been enjoying your party each week!

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If you love your kids but you sometimes forget to feed them lunch, if you're crazy about your husband but some days you want to set his hunting gear on fire, and if you adore Jesus with your whole heart yet you mess up time and time again, then you and I are friends already.

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