A few days ago, my son asked me if he could have a snack. It is a particular brand of peanuts to which he has developed an almost singular devotion. A trait he inherited from me. The challenge however, is the packaging in which the nuts come. You see, every time I say yes to him, a familiar script plays itself out. It begins with the noisy expulsion of the breath he would have unconsciously held back during those split seconds that are required by me to gauge whether or not he should be granted his request, followed by the requisite thanks mum...bye mum, a swift exit from my presence and a hop-skip-jump in the general direction of the cupboard where he knows his snacks are stored. Cue victory dance....the prize now firmly in possession, all that remains is to find a cozy corner to curl up and feast. But one must open the pack first mustnt one? And it is at this point that reality kicks in. This was the point at which we both found ourselves that day. I watched him try unsuccessfully to open that pack and had to grit my teeth and look away. You see, I knew how BADLY my son wanted those peanuts. I knew that I could end his agony very easily. It would be nothing to yank that pack out of his much smaller hands and with a practiced flick of my wrist, grant him the access he so desperately wanted. BUT I also knew that I would be doing him a grave disservice if I did so. And so I forced myself to watch passively for what seemed like years (but couldnt have been longer than 20 minutes) as my son oscillated between trying to open that pack, flinging it away in frustration and begging me with tears in his eyes to help him. To which I repeatedly responded baby, if you want that snack, you are going to have to open it yourself... It dawned on me then how similar it must be a lot of the time with God and His children. I know from personal painful experience how it feels to cry and beg to be excused from a particular trial. I knew, like my son knew that day, that it was well within my Fathers power to take the pain away. It would be as easy as the flick of a wrist. But as I sat and watched him, I understood that this was the only way he would learn. The unique combination of pain and his hunger for that snack were the perfect catalysts. They would push him to find a way. And sure enough, just when it seemed like all hope was lost, a little hole appeared at the top of the pack. It wasnt much, but it was big enough for him to put his finger in and rip the pack open. No one has smiled brighter than my son did that day. As I applauded him, I watched him stand a little taller. A vital lesson had just been learnt. By him most certainly, but more importantly, by me. All the while my son struggled, my eyes never once left his face. I watched a range of emotions mar his usually carefree features. Determination morphed into frustration, spiraling not long after that into the sense of betrayal and abandonment that comes when the person you know can so easily help you withholds that help. This was followed closely by resignation and finally, right back to determination. I felt every single one of those emotions along with him. Every last one. I never for one minute, left his side. I knew that I had to be close by to step in and help should it overwhelm him. But I had to bide my time, for to step in a second too soon would render every preceding second useless and would have ruined his lesson. I smiled and shook my head as I watched him enjoy that very well deserved snack knowing that this scene had been staged more for my benefit than my sons. There is a reason for the pain that we go through. It is not meaningless. It is not coincidence and we are most assuredly not alone. We are being closely watched and constantly encouraged by quite frankly the most patient and resolute Person I know. Jesus. It is my earnest prayer that when - not if - but when that day comes (as it undoubtedly will) when we are done, our lesson now complete, the degree earned... His response, like mine was to my son, would be applause and congratulations. The highest accolades to which any child of His can aspire. And may many many others be encouraged in turn. So be it in the Name of Jesus the Christ
Posted on: Tue, 25 Nov 2014 07:00:17 +0000
Trending Topics
© 2015