So, I needed to record this conversation before I forgot it, and I thought it was worth sharing. Tonight, Caleb got a scrape on his arm that was bothering him. At dinner, he asked, "Why does God have us get hurt and have pain? I mean, I know we won't be hurt in heaven. But, why do we have to have pain?" Okay, my typical answer would be "Hmm... I don't know, sweetie. Maybe we can ask God about that." (You know, in the partially distracted-this question is too big for the moment sort of way.)
But, God's grace prevailed upon me and I'm so grateful for the opportunity to ponder with my child about God's role in our lives. I started talking about how we can't really understand all of God's purposes in sin and pain, but that if we didn't experience pain and sadness, we wouldn't truly be able to experience God's joy and pleasure. (I was thinking this is probably too much for my 6 1/2 year old, but it was worth the attempt.) He listened intently and then jumped in, "Yeah, and if there wasn't pain and cuts, Jesus couldn't have died on the cross for us." I agreed and then we went on to talk about how when we experience pain, it can remind us of the pain that Jesus suffered on our behalf.
So - the next time I stub my toe, it ought to remind me of the most precious gift God has granted to me. Hope it does the same for you!
