I’m sitting here with sweet girl Emily. She’s resting on the couch after having three teeth extracted by our oral surgeon. I say “our” because this is her second round of teeth pulling, with more planned in the not-so-distant future, so he is officially “ours.” At any rate, I am so proud of her; there were no tears or complaining. She is definitely a brave eight year old.
Just about an hour and a half ago we were sitting in the car, before going into the office for the procedure. Emily was a little shaky and wanted me to hold her hand as we walked into the building. Of course I obliged her. After all, how many more times will she want me to hold her hand in public?
We discussed what was going to happen again – which teeth? how long will it take? and is there root beer at home for when this is over? I told her as we sat in the waiting room, “You know, this is going to hurt a bit, just like last time, right? But, I’ll be here when you come out – and it will feel better pretty quick…in a day or two…” my voice sort of drifted off a bit, because it didn’t sound very comforting the way it came out…
As Emily’s mom, I was the one that decided when the appointment would be. Her dad and I chose to have the procedure done for her own dental good. Someday it will make the whole situation easier when its time for braces and other dental work she needs to have done. As she walked down the hall with the nurse to have the teeth pulled, I felt a bit bad – I mean, I was the one choosing this pain for her. “Easier” didn’t seem so important anymore…
I myself have had teeth pulled – I know how it feels.
And I thought about it for the next forty-five minutes. God has not promised us a life free of pain. In fact, there are times that He allows terrible pain because He knows that the outcome will be for our good. Thinking of how much I love my daughter, and how hard it was to watch her go through this comparatively little pain today, I know it must be hard for the Heavenly Father to allow pain in our lives.
Through personal experience, I also know this: it is in those moments of suffering that I have drawn closer to Him, allowing Him to calm my fears and comfort me during sorrow. And He is a most kind and gentle care-giver. He understands and knows – He has felt the pain that I have felt and knows exactly how to sooth my soul. This is His promise.
Isaiah 53:4&5 is a loving and significant reminder for me, for days like today and even the most difficult of days:
“Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.”
With Emily I know the outcome – we are on a path to beautiful and healthy teeth. In other life-circumstances, even though He knows the outcome, I’m not always able to see how things will turn out here on earth. But, I do know this: He loves me. He will walk the road of pain and suffering with me. While there may be pain along the way, I can be sure that the Heavenly Father will be a constant companion who is able to bring sweet peace for the journey.
md
daily portion 