There’s no pain like our children’s pain.
When our children are sick or injured, we would do anything to bring them relief. I remember many hours rocking a crying baby or resting with a feverish child or rubbing someone’s back while they’re puking and saying, “If I could take it all away, I would.” We’d gladly step in and take our children’s place to rescue them from trouble.
But then there are times when we allow or even direct some pain at our kids because it’s purposeful and for their ultimate good. In our family there were years of weekly allergy shots. Surgeries. Braces. I mean we literally paid a fortune to have an orthodontist put a mini torture chamber in our twin daughters’ mouths. Sometimes, it’s costly to bring about our children’s ultimate good.
As our kids grew, I learned about a kind of love that lets go and gives the gift of freedom. A freedom that often results in them soaring to new heights. And a freedom that includes the potential to crash and burn. But they were born to be independent and free. I learned about a love that doesn’t go away just because the kids do.
My knowledge of God grew exponentially when I became a parent. I’ve learned more about love and sacrifice and mercy and patience and prayer as a mom than in any other role in life. I learned firsthand a parent’s love that would willingly take a suffering child’s place. I learned that there is a kind of love that even inflicts costly pain for a child’s best interest. And I learned firsthand about unconditional, devoted, forever love.
There’s no love like parent love.
Isn’t it reassuring that a primary descriptor of God in scripture is as perfect parent? Not just as our revered and almighty heavenly Father. But like a nurturing, comforting mom too. There is no situation or pain or fear that I face where God is not there, either whispering words of rescue and relief or reminding me that He is wise enough to discern when something is for my ultimate good or reassuring me that there’s nowhere I can go to be outside of His love.
So, on this Mother’s Day weekend, I hope you find comfort knowing there’s a God who completely understands about parent love and parent pain. He cares.
“The LORD says…as a mother comforts her child, I will comfort you” (Isaiah 66:13).
Call your mom,
