The Pain of Parenting

I had an astounding revelation this morning that I hope can encourage others whether you are a parent or not. I was feeding Macey and Keely wanted a toy hammer that we had taken away from her because she beat the furniture with it. I told her she couldn't have it and she needed to

find something else. Of course, she cried, I ignored. Then she started to climb up a chair to get to the hammer. I warned her she was going to hurt herself. But I knew getting up and moving her would only make her try harder. So instead I watched as she cried harder and harder, banging her head several times, but continuing to try until she finally fell. (I knew she couldn't hurt herself too bad..it wasn't a long fall and it was on carpet.) At this point, I put Macey down, went and picked up Keely rocked and consoled her, telling her how much I love her. That's when it hit me...that is exactly what God does for me! He knows what is best for me and tells me "no" but then He sits back and painstakingly watches me hurt myself trying to get what I don't need. When I finally give up (hurting tremendously at this point) He is there to pick me up and love me. It brought tears to my eyes because it hurt so much watching Keely hurt herself. I wanted to stop her before she did, but I knew she would just go right back to it. Instead, once she calmed down, she went and got some books and sat with me while I finished feeding Macey. It ended in a very sweet time together. What a gracious, loving Father we have to continuously pick us up when we hurt ourselves not following His way!

Family Devos

Macey's Idea of "Tummy Time"