My son comes up to me with scrapes and bruises almost daily. Sometimes, he’s crying for me to give them a kiss. Sometimes, he just wants to show me his ow-ies like it’s a prize he just won.
But, when it’s the scrapes and bruises that hurt, he comes straight to me with out-stretched arms wanting the comfort of his mama.
I try not to react saying, “Oh my goodness! Are you okay? That looks like it hurts.” He’s coming to me for comfort. So, if I react in a way that reinforces his discomfort, he is going to continue to cry (and possibly cry about it throughout the day).
So, instead I give him a hug and ask what happened. He tells me his story through his tears. When he’s done, I give him a kiss on his cheek and tell him, “Son, you are so brave and strong. Let’s clean your ow-ie. It’ll still hurt for only a little bit; but, then it won’t bother you anymore.” And he goes on his merry way playing again like nothing happened.
Why? Because, “worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word lifts a person up,” (Proverbs 12:25). I try to encourage my son in any situation (good or bad). Every moment is a teachable moment. After all, my son is in my life to learn about life and become who he was born to be.
Isn’t this how my relationship is suppose to be with God? Oh yes, yes and yes.
Every worry. Every hurt. Every happy moment. I should run to my father with open arms and share it with him.