When my oldest son was two and a half his kidneys failed and he nearly died. During his hospital stay nurses collected blood samples via finger-sticks evey six hours. Before long his little fingers were so bruised that they switched to his precious toes.

My heart splintered each time they entered the room. I knew it hurt him, and that hurt me. I held him each time they drew blood and cried with him as he begged, "Mommy, make them go away!"

He was a toddler, incapable of understanding how his mother could allow something so horrible. But you see, I had knowledge he didn't have. And while I HATED what he went through, I understood why I had to allow it. Apart from medical necessity, allowing grown ups to puncture a child's fingers and toes is abusive and cruel. My little one could only perceive that I refused to protect him. Long after his kidneys healed, he was still healing from his perception of that hospital stay.

Stay with me.

Matthew 18: 6-7 refers to what I believe to be child abuse:

"But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be greater for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea."

Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come.

We live in a fallen world and therefore, "these things" must come. God did not intend for His children to suffer abuse. He created Adam and Eve in a perfect environment. The fall of man opened the door to horrendous abuse. And when that happens. The Creator of the universe, who only wanted perfection for us, cries with us and for us.

The good news is that He sent His Son to ensure we could heal if we wanted. And his Holy Spirit to hold, comfort, and counsel us throughout the healing process. 

You are NOT too damaged to heal. Go to the One who wept with you and for you when you were abused and betrayed. Nothing can separate you from His love. Not even your anger. Imagine the fits my toddler threw. I understood why he was so angry and confused, he's my child.

Today he is a man, twenty-three years old. He still uncomfortable having his blood drawn, but I will never forget the day he told me that he was going to step into the pain, and donate blood. Wow.

You are overcoming. One day at at time. Some day you will donate a bit of your own blood, sweat, and tears and perhaps save a life too. Ahhh, the greater good prevails in a world where "these things" must come.

Psalm 129:2 "Many a time they have afflicted me from my youth; but they have not prevailed against me."

How do you feel about the story? Can you relate? Did you gain a new perspective on painful experiences? I would love to hear from you!