Loving Till It Hurts

I have never experienced more opportunities to witness God’s sense of humor since I’ve had children. On a fairly regular, read daily—perhaps even hourly–basis someone takes something that I’ve long held sacred and turns it on its ear; allowing God, I believe (actually in this case, I especially hope) to avail me of his oh-You-are so funny-this-MUST-be-God- sense of humor.

So the other night when I was out Easter/First Communion/Aunt’s Wedding/Uncle’s Wedding children’s outfit shopping, it didn’t even faze me when my cell phone rang and my husband was on the other end asking if we had Crazy Glue…and did I know where we kept the Crazy Glue…and if not, would I kindly purchase some Crazy Glue. So, I purchased the Crazy Glue, at the time not knowing the reason why and praying that one tube should suffice.

I called on the drive home to learn that our youngest daughter, 2 year old, Nora, had been playing with a beautiful statue of the Holy Family we received recently, which resides on our family altar. In her zealous “play” she, God forgive me, broke the head and hand off poor, innocent baby Jesus.

When I arrived home, after the Christ child’s assailant was in bed, I took out the Crazy Glue and attempted to fix the damage. While I did so, I thought to myself…surely our Lord had not considered two year olds, and a certain blond haired, blue-eyed one in particular, when he invited,

“Let the little children come to me…” (Mt 19:14)

After a little persistence and a lot of prayer, the operation appeared to be a success. Gently, I set the statue back on the table on my way up to bed. As I walked past my daughter’s room, I peeked in her crib and saw her sleeping. She was laying, as only a two year old can, sprawled across her mattress, blanket wrapped around one chubby little hand and her Dear, God book in the other. My little girl loves Jesus and considers Him to be such a close friend that she doesn’t think twice about asking Him to play with her, even when she plays rough.

Did our Lord know what He was asking when he called the children to Him in scripture? Absolutely. My no holds barred, enthusiastic lover of Christ, and her other two year old peers, are just what He had in mind.

Lord Jesus, help me to remember that you are my friend. Teach me to have the faith of a little child and to learn to embrace you fervently knowing that your love is so great that it can mend any broken parts and make them whole again. Amen.

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