Lesson learned

The other night, when I was tucking Brayden in for bed, he told me something that had happened at school that day.  He was walking to class when some other kids were behind him throwing snowballs.  They didn't mean to throw it at him and hit him, but they did.  Then, the next one they threw, went over Brayden's head and hit the kid in front of him.  The kid turned around, thought Brayden had thrown it, and accused him of it to a teacher.  Brayden lost recess privileges for two days for something he didn't even do.  He was very understandably angry and frustrated.

I tried to encourage him, saying things like "it happens" and "I'm really sorry" when all of the sudden he said "Mom, it's kind of like that story in the Bible where that woman accused Joseph of something he didn't do and he got sent to jail for a long time for it".  Last Sunday, they had learned about the story of Joseph, basically how his whole life didn't really work out in his favor, but God had a bigger plan through all of it.  The Holy Spirit brought that story into Brayden's mind at just the right time and Brayden was able to relate to it in a personal way. 

After he brought that up, we talked about how it really isn't fair and sure, it's frustrating and angering, but God still has a plan for Brayden through this false accusation, just like God had a plan for Joseph throughout all the bad things that happened to him, even though Joseph didn't understand God's plan and was probably really frustrated and discouraged as well.  That seemed to bring him peace and make him feel much better. 

I wish I could just swoop in and fix my kid's problems for them, it hurts to see them suffer and deal with things like this.  But, unfortunately we live in a fallen world and I would be doing my children no favors if I always came to their rescue and never let them experience failure or pain. 

And then I thought about how God must feel when He watches us go through pain and suffering because of our sin or the sin of others.  How it must break His heart to watch us go through the things we have to endure because of the fallen world we live in, when He could so easily swoop in and fix everything.  But, He doesn't, for our own good.  Because He has a bigger plan for our lives, and unfortunately sometimes that plan involves pain and suffering. 

Thank You, Father, for giving me the perfect example of a loving parent.  Thank you for giving the Holy Spirit to us to encourage us and teach us.  Thank you for growing Brayden's faith and knowledge in You.  Amen.