Journey to Kenya

I love the way God works. One thing that I have learned about His character and nature is that His Spirit pursues and anchors us.
I have an affinity for avoiding running to God when things are hard. I reason that I have to be a “good daughter.” I have lived long enough to believe that when challenges come, I just need to change my perspective and things will work out just fine. Although there is truth to this, the caveat is that we were made to need Him.

If I think about any reasonable parent, when their child has an ailment or issue, parents understand that children, in their trust and understanding of their parents’ care, will run to them for love, guidance, and help. For example, the boys were roughhousing last night, and one threw a shoe across the room. The son in question has reasonably good aim and hit my favorite tea cup just so that it fell to the floor, where his brothers took cover.

My steeping chamomile tea spilled on the ground, and as the glass shattered, it bounced up from the tile to slice one of the boys across the finger. Drops of blood hit the floor as the screaming and tears began. It was a scene. I wanted to panic, but I remembered that I was the parent and that I was here to be a steady and calm presence for my son. I called my husband to prepare for a trip to the ER, consoled the wounded, packed dinner and snacks, and sent him on his way with love, prayers, and reassurance that everything would be ok.

When I avoid coming to God with my heartbreak or ailments, it would be like holding my own bleeding finger, and assuring my Father that “I got this” and I will be just fine. I would tell him not to worry about a trip to the ER and that I will simply apply more pressure, stop the bleeding, and clean the wound on my own. Although admirable, to a loving Father, can you imagine how ridiculous this picture would be? He would be incredulous and insistent that He tend to the wound. He would tell me to stop, hit down, and let him provide the care necessary to heal not only the wound, but also to calm my nerves.

Last night was a beautiful reminder of how ridiculous it is when we don’t run to Him. As sons and daughters, we can fall into the arms of a loving Savior who truly cares about our hurts, aches, and bruises, no matter how seemingly insignificant. There was actually a moment when my son took this approach. He said it would be better to wash his finger at home, bandage it tightly, and go to bed. He didn’t want the pain that could potentially come with the process of healing.

Here’s the thing: healing and care are what we genuinely need to get better. It’s simple. His love is proven and tested. It is the perfect remedy every time.

Today, I pray that when we find ourselves in need, we won’t be afraid of coming to the Father with our pain. That we won’t be scared to approach our Savior for deep healing. We should not forfeit the privilege to receive the love and care of the Comforter when we are aching.

Love is here, and it’s a gift for all of us. I pray that we choose to rest in it more and more each day, and instead of forfeiting the tending, we run to our remedy and stay there beyond our healing…until we overflow.

Love you,

-Mel