On a steamy summer day, my oldest daughter plunged down an inflatable water slide. Her giggles ceased as she came off the slide holding her hand in pain. At first glance, her finger appeared jammed. No big deal. We didn’t rush to the doctors. But after a few days of examining a crooked, sore finger, I decided we needed x-rays. Not only did my daughter fracture her finger, but she needed to have surgery on it as well.
The procedure took a couple of hours. The surgeon inserted two long pins just above her knuckles and down into her pinky finger. The pins would serve as an internal splint while the bone fused back together. The surgeon then secured her arm in a neon pink cast. Before I knew it, my baby girl was back in my arms.
Prior to being discharged, the nurse gave us strong words of caution: Do Not Get The Cast Wet.
If the area where the pins entered the skin got wet beneath the cast, infection could occur. We would be required to go to the closest Emergency Department to get a new cast set.
I listened closely. But my heart screamed: What about vacation?
In just a few days, we would be heading to the Florida Keys. We would create lasting memories with our family while boating, snorkeling, and swimming. We would be in water the entire trip!
I resolved to give my daughter an unforgettable experience while ensuring we did not end up in the ER.
Every morning, I would put one waterproof cast bag over my daughter’s cast and run tape around her arm. But one bag would not do. I repeated this process three more times. Every single morning. Let me tell you, my daughter’s cast stayed dry during our water activities, and we had an incredible vacation.
The Scary Moment
Fast forward a few weeks later, we arrived at the doctor’s office. The time had come for the cast and pins to be removed. My precious daughter dreaded this appointment all summer. What if it hurts, Mommy? I don’t want to go, Mommy. For added support, my husband accompanied us to the appointment.
Makayla extended her arm towards the doctor. As soon as the procedure began, my daughter cried out as loudly as she could. The entire office could hear her screams.
Daddy, Daddy! I love you! Mommy, help me! I love you, Mommy!
You see, when this particular child feels anxious, she screams the most unusual phrases in her time of need.
In the midst of calling out, “Daddy, Mommy, I love you!” she switches her focus towards her brother (who is not even present in the room). This is the sibling she tends to get annoyed with most. They partake in typical sibling behaviors such as arguing or tattling quite often.
Shae, I love you! Help me, Shae! I need you! I love you, Shae!
It was pretty funny when she shouted her brother’s name. We can laugh about it now. But in that moment, my tear-stained eyes watched helplessly. My heart broke for her. My firstborn is screaming my name. She’s begging me to help her. To do something to rescue her.
Mommy, Daddy, help me, make it stop!
In a heartbeat, I would take her place. I would willingly switch places with her.
But I can’t. There was nothing I could do about it. My daughter had to go through the procedure. We had to let it happen.
The Cross
Becoming a parent has given me a greater understanding of how much God loves me. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for my own children. If that’s how I feel in my flawed humanity, imagine how much more our perfect heavenly Father loves us.
Take a moment to think about God in His role as Father. His heart explodes with love for you. His compassion offers you a redemptive plan. Yet, there is only one means to heal your brokenness: God’s Son must die in your place. Jesus must take the punishment for your sins.
The cost is great. Unbearable.
Now imagine the scene of Jesus hanging on a cross. God’s Own Son with arms stretched and nails holding Him down.
The pain is intense. It takes every ounce of strength to inhale for one more breath. He is slowly suffocating as He hangs in a vertical position on the cross. Yet, when you really think about it, the nails didn’t hold Him to the cross.
God’s great love for you (and me) is what held Him there.
In that moment, Jesus carried the sins of the world on Himself. He called out to God, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
It’s like Jesus (the Son) is saying to His Father, “Daddy, please, Daddy. This moment is unbearable!”
I’m sure everything in God wanted to put an end to the pain Jesus was experiencing. He wanted to reach down to rescue His Son.
But something incredible happened in that moment.
God thought about you. He saw your face.
He knew only one thing could restore you to Him. This gruesome sacrifice had to happen.
So, rather than rescuing His Son, the Father sat back down. And He let it happen.
He did that for you. He did that for me. For every person in the world.
Why would He do that? Because of His great love for humanity. Because of His amazing grace.
Our Response To The Cross
What God did for us is incredible. We don’t deserve it, yet He gives Himself freely to anyone who calls on His name. The power of the cross broke sin and darkness. The good news of Jesus gives us hope for each new day. Allow the reality of the cross to sink deeper into your heart. Take a moment, Friend, and sit quietly before the Lord to reflect on what Christ has done for you. To gain a greater realization of the Father’s incredible love for you.
If you have not made the decision to receive Christ as your Lord and Savior and would like to talk more about it, please feel free to email me.
As we look to the cross, let’s remember the incredible sacrifice that God made so that we can live in freedom. Let’s share this great news with those we come into contact with.
Invite someone to attend a church service with you. Pray with a person in need. Share this post with those in your sphere of influence.
Take a moment to pray this prayer:
God Almighty, Thank you for the sacrifice You made, even in the most unbearable moments. You did this so that I could have new life in Your Son Jesus. Help me to be fully devoted to You. This week, open my eyes to a deeper revelation of Your sacrifice. Instill a greater passion in my heart for more of You. Let me be a reflection of your light as I bring your message of redemption to those I encounter every day. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
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