Snot for the Weak of Stomach

Tending to a sick child can be extremely demanding.  There is the emotional stress of watch your little one suffer through fever, chills, and vomiting among other things.  There is also the side effects the sickness has on the child's temperament which in turn can cause adverse side effects in the worried and worn caregiver.  There is also the accompanying sleep deprivation that often occurs with illness.  Yet, the process of taking care of Sophia, who has had  a fever and a cough since early this morning, has me wondering.

Part of me is wondering if there is an analogy that can be drawn between a parent's struggle with a sick child, and God's providential care for his children.  I know that God doesn't worry, because he knows all things.  I also  know that God doesn't get wore out, nor are his responses determined by the disposition of his children.  But at some level I can't help but feel that some aspect of care giving is a reflection of God's care for his children.  I know God loves us and cares for us.  I know we love our children and care for them.  But does the comparison stop there?  Is the connection deeper?

This experience and previous ones like it have me thinking that difficult circumstances have a greater potential for growth in love and Christlikeness than less difficult circumstances.  It is easy enough to care for someone when everything is going well and the two of you are getting along like peaches and creme.  However, when the rules change and a battle of wills begin, it takes greater effort to provide the appropriate care.

Once the decision to love is made, difficult circumstances cause a stretching effect.  The commitment forces one to pursue every appropriate option in order to demonstrate their love to the other person.  As a person cares for another who is dependent upon them, they are forced to make a choice.  They will either refuse to render the care necessary, they will render the necessary care without any attachment, or they will render the necessary care with the appropriate attachment.  The last choice is the best choice, because it is the choice that Christ made.  But when we choose to follow him in making that choice, we are stretched beyond ourselves, and learn to love in a deeper more meaningful way.

Sickness if never welcomed, especially when it attacks one of our loved ones, but the lessons that sickness can teach us should be welcomed.  We should realize that Christ has placed us in his school to teach us to love like him.  He wants us to have compassion on the weak and needy.  He wants us to love like him.  May be we will learn those lessons without difficulty, but I doubt we'd learn them as quickly or with a more lasting impression.  Hardship leaves a mark.  If we go through it with Christ, in his power and for his glory, the mark will have positive, long lasting implications.