Series: The Truth about Trials
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles
of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. James
1:2 NLT
Meme had to have
ice. Little did she know what else she’d get.
Taking a
rambunctious five-year-old anywhere is risky, but taking one to a hospital
waiting room where they have nothing to do is dangerous. My brother had been in
a serious vehicle accident the week before, and Mom wanted to go for a visit.
Prior to supper, our
grandson did well. The IPad worked with the hospital’s Wi-Fi allowing him to
play games. After supper, the IPad malfunctioned, and he had nothing to do but
run around. Which he did. Around and around the lone table in the center of the
waiting room. Until he tripped over his feet and flew headfirst … or rather
nose-first … into another piece of furniture.
Knowing his
tendency to overreact, I didn’t worry so much when he screamed. Meme went to
the rescue and saw blood. I went to the bathroom for paper towels. The bleeding
was minor and stopped within minutes. When a little swelling appeared, Meme
thought we needed ice.
My wife went to a
nearby nurses’ desk for ice. They gave it, but also wanted to know what
happened. Within minutes, a nurse approached us in the waiting room, wanting to
know what happened and to see if our grandson was okay. Then, she reported the
accident to her nurse supervisor, who also came and checked. She was
accompanied by a hospital policeman who wrote up a report. A hospital security
person, who took a picture of the “accident” scene, followed them.
Although we
appreciated their concern, we thought the reaction a little extreme for a minor
bump. I had no problem finding humor in the situation.
This trial was
minor when compared to many I’ve faced—many of which I have struggled to find
joy in—but it still did what trials do: confirmed identity (Romans 8:29). When
we explained what had happened to the nurse and policeman, they had no problem
believing our story or that our grandson was five years old. He did what most
five-year-old boys do: run, play, and roughhouse.
Jesus faced
trials and said His followers would too. Being conformed to the image of Christ
requires going through trials. In spite of their uncomfortableness, they let us
… and others … know we belong to God.
When the trials
come, just remember they are confirming your identity.
Prayer: Father,
we welcome the trials of life as a sign that we belong to You.
Tweetable: Have you let trials prove your identity?
No comments:
Post a Comment