Solitude with the Father

Recently, my fourteen year old daughter sliced her finger at church. The pain was not too bad but the next morning she shook in agony. We went to the walk- in clinic where she was told stitches were needed. I hated seeing her in so much anguish hurt me.

As we waited for her finger to numb, I squeezed the other hand and prayed with her.

“Father,” I said, “please give Laurel the ability to calm down. Wrap Your arms around her and allow her to feel Your presence. Show her that You see the pain and that it matters to You because you made her. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

A few hours later when I got home and alone, my emotions let loose. I cried and talked to the Lord. The vision of her lying there, shaking in pain overwhelmed me. I would have gladly taken her place.

Then God gently reminded me of His pain when His Son hung on the cross. The physical agony was intense no doubt, but what was worse was the separation between Father and Son. Where I could hold my daughter’s hand through it all, the Father turned His back because He could not look on the sin Christ bore for us. His Son felt the separation we would have felt, had He not died for our sins.

The pain of my daughter not only gave me the opportunity to tell her God sees and cares about her, but it reminded me that the greatest agony anyone can experience is total separation from the One who created us (Matthew 13:42). It was a wonderful lesson for me, impressing on me when God gives me the opportunity to share His love, I need to do it.

Are you in pain today?

Whether it is physical or emotional, know that He sees it and cares about it because you matter to Him. Go to Him. He will bear it with you.

We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering
produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.
Romans 5:3-5 (NIV 1984)