Thursday Thoughts, Early Morning Moments with My Son

A few nights ago, Hudson woke up in the wee hours of the morning crying in pain (teething or tummy). I tried the usual of nursing and a soothing tablet but it was apparent that he needed more then that.
So I gave him some pain medicine and did what I’ve done before when he was pretty inconsolable.
I wrapped him in his blanket, went and sat in the cool dark bathroom and turned the bath water on.
I watched his painful struggling expression slowly turn to one of calm and quiet, as I rocked and patted his little bum. He snuggled up real close and steadily went back to his blissful sleep.
At this moment as I sat there holding my sweet boy, it really struck me how this feels in the Christian life. I often want all happiness and rainbows, feeling comfortable in my life without pain and suffering. But something occurred to me as I loved on my child.

We don’t appreciate the full value of the warmth, hope, and peace, God brings without knowing the pain and hurt first.

It’s a hard thought, but just like Hudson knows even fuller now, the love and comfort he received from me. So is our love and trust in God built up when we endure trials and hardships.
You often hear the phrase “no pain no gain” thrown around, but this really does have merit.
If we don’t feel the hurt first, we won’t really see the worth in the tenderness we are shown through Jesus after the storm has passed. It may not be in this life we even receive this ease from pain and suffering. But in Christ there’s a PROMISE of eternal peace.

(1 Peter 5:10) “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”