Recently, our resident self-appointed princess, Emily, decided that she wanted to get her ears pierced. She came up with idea on her own, just out of the blue one day, because she was tired of dressing up with "those ones that just clip on and pinch your ears". Personally, I didn't have a problem with her getting her ears pierced, but I wanted her to definitely know what she was getting into.
"It's going to hurt you know," I told her. "It will probably feel like a shot." She looked at me funny, but hesitated only for a second before replying that she still wanted to do it. I continued, "You know, you'll get one ear pierced--and it will hurt--but then you will have to get the other one done too. You know that, right?" She knew that. She was determined.
So I decided to take her, still periodically reminding her of the pain that she would have to endure. It wasn't because I didn't want her to do it, but because I know that this is not a girl who is very tolerant of pain. Finally, before I paid for the earrings (they have a no refund policy if the kid backs out), I gave her one more chance to change her mind. Nope. Still wanted to do it.
She climbed up in the chair, sat perfectly still, and when the lady doing the piercing got the little gun up to her ear, brave little Emily lost it. She started wailing. BUT--she NEVER tried to get away!! The lady told her, "You can cry, but you just need to sit still." So, even though she was so scared, my little girl sat perfectly still and, through tears, got both of her ears pierced, one right after the other. I was AMAZED. And I have NEVER seen her more proud of anything!
Looking back on that little episode, I started thinking about what desire and determination will do for a person's courage. It's kind of like when we, as Christians, pray for God to give us patience, or make us stronger or teach us humility. Do we always realize the pain that we may have to endure in order to get where we really want to be as Christians?
I believe that just as Emily (who usually doesn't tolerate pain very well) was willing to endure the pain of ear piercing because, as she put it, "I really wanted earrings", we have to remember that suffering absolutely produces patience and perseverance and knowledge and strength. May we never forget to keep our mind on the goal instead of the suffering, and remember that God uses our circumstances, good and bad, to eventually mold us into the person He wants us to be--which is exactly where I want to be too!
I want my desire to become like Christ to overwhelmingly supersede my fear of suffering and pain.
1 comment :
i needed this so much today. as the reality of a new life entering our family sets in, my emotions are trying to get the better of me. i know i prayed for another child, but now i'm starting to panic. the sacrafices, pain, and frustrations that come along with parenting are going to be exponentially increased. knowing that all circumstances are allowed for the sole purpose of molding us into His image reinforces a determination and desire to enter into them with joy and resolve to be victorious. thanks so much, emily, for your heartfelt example:)
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