He hurts when we hurt.

Last updated on: April 23, 2012 at 12:05 am by Steve Austin

He hurts when we hurt. 2012-04-23T00:05:38-05:00 Steve Austin

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Ben Thomas has been sick off-and-on for a couple of weeks now. It’s sinus yuck and when Lindsey gets back from the doctor this morning, I imagine they will say it’s an ear infection. He’s also teething. And last week he had his 6-month immunizations. It’s a really crappy time in his little world!

And as BT’s Daddy, when he is unhappy, it breaks my heart. Now–he’s a baby, and there are times when he acts like a baby. There are times when he whines for attention. There are times when he’ll squeal just to get someone to come and pick him up. But I’m not talking about those times…I mean when he is tossing and turning all night long and cannot get comfortable because his ears are killing him, his fever is 101.3 (and has been for 12 hours), and he can’t breathe from all the snot. Those are the times when he really just breaks my heart.

We left our friends’ house early on Saturday night, when we discovered his fever. We alternated ibuprofen and tylenol like we’re supposed to. We put a cool rag on his head/neck. We even gave him a cool bath for a while…but nothing worked. He was miserable and hurting. He laid his little head on my shoulder for a couple of minutes and let out a big sigh, but before long, he was right back to crying. Not a blood-curdling scream, but a cry that said, “I really don’t feel good, Daddy. This stinks!”

Lindsey and I held hands and put our hands on him and prayed a few times and agreed together and asked God to heal him and help him to sleep. The last time we did that was around 5am and while Lindsey rocked my little boy, I went in my room, sat on the bed, face-in-hands, and I cried.

I couldn’t fix it.

I was tired.

I hurt because he was hurting so bad.

I cried. I cried out to my Father and asked Him to make this right.

And I pictured Jesus doing the very same thing. When our sin has us bound, when we are messed up, beat up, and worn out, and we are tossing and turning inside, wanting some relief…I picture Jesus saying, “Come on buddy, just lay your head on my shoulder. Let it out. Just breathe.”

I know Jesus was crying with me.

Previous Post

March 14, 2012

I'm scared I'm gonna lose God.

Next Post

April 25, 2012 Cheap Grace

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Anxiety Best of Messy Grace Current Events Depression Faith Family Featured Fiction lgbtq Marriage Mental Health Messy Grace Millennials Parenting Recovery Recovery from a Suicide Attempt Recovery from Abuse Recovery from Porn Addiction Religious Recovery Self Care The Struggle With Church This is My Story (series) Uncategorized Writing Help

Select a Month January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 June 2015 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 June 2013 April 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 September 2011 August 2011 May 2011 July 2010

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

I cleansed the temple in sixteen days and celebrated Passover so joyfully that we extended it another seven days. Who am I?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Josiah Asa Hezekiah Jehoshaphat