Team Honey to the Rescue

Baby's face scrunched up in pain. Reaching for the doorway through which her parents had just left, her precious little voice cried out, "Mama!"

Grandma, our sweet daughter-in-law, was keeping baby for the night to give Mom and Dad a little break from parenting duties. Anyone with little ones knows the need for respite from the hair-pulling exasperation of never, ever, EVER having a moment alone—a universal truth exemplified by little fingers reaching under bathroom doors. No privacy to be had even in that inner sanctum.

Although well aware that the gut-wrenching cries were not the result of some horrible event, my great-grandma's heart twisted in empathy. Her little cries were so absolutely pitiful! But then—ta da! The magic of Team Honey.

As Auntie juggled baby on her hip, Honey (baby's name for Grandma) enticed her with a new game, showing her the trick to a little squishy. And magic happened. The wrinkled face smoothed. The agonized eyes opened wide with interest. Reaching out now for the new geegaw, baby's pain passed into oblivion. Team Honey—which included Uncle nearby ready to step in if needed and Pawpaw coming over to coax another smile from baby—had worked its magic. The pain of parting became swallowed up in the joy of the love surrounding her.

As the truth exemplified by this "humdrum" occurrence that is multiplied time and again in so many households hit me, my own mouth stretched into a smile. Why, this was just like God with us, His children.

Pain in life twists our heart in agony. Then—Team Jesus steps in. God's gentle Holy Spirit reminds us to praise. And as we lift our heart and voice to the One Who made us, we find the anguish melting away. As we shift our focus away from the painful problem, we find ourselves with eyes turned to the source of all joy. And we live again the reality that Team Jesus has rescued us yet again.

Peter lived this reality when he walked on the water. When he took his eyes off Jesus, focusing instead on the scary wind, he was afraid and began to sink (Matthew 14:24-32). Apparently, though, he learned the lesson well. In Acts 3, where we find Peter and John instrumental in the healing of a lame man, he tells the cripple, "Look at us." Not at the problem. Not at what you can't do. Instead, turn your eyes to those who bring you the healing Bread of Life. And, when he did that, the lame man walked. Later, when Paul and Silas chose to praise instead of focusing on the pain and horror of the dungeon in which they found themselves, they, too, experienced the reality of miracles happening when eyes are taken off the problems and are instead focused on the Problem Solver (Acts 16:16-40).

I for one want to take a cue from our little great-grand. When life hits us right between the eyes, when we think we can't take the pain one iota more, let's turn our eyes to Jesus. Let's think on Him. Let's think on His greatness. Let's think on His love. Let's think on His mercy. Let's remember all the wonderful past victories He has walked us through.

The once seemingly unbearable pain will begin to dissipate. The problem might not be resolved—yet—, but, our heart? Our heart will brim with hope from Him Who is ever faithful. Our hearts will swell with the peace and joy found in Him alone.

Take heart, little ones. No matter what life throws at us, Team Jesus has our back. This too shall pass. His victory will come.

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there by any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things" (Philippians 4:8).

"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith ...." (Hebrews 12:2).