You can learn a lot from a trip to the hospital.
Find out a lesson learned at the ER on this weeks episode of
Liberty at Home and you won't even be charged a copay.
Hello there, faithful ecat viewer.
You've stumbled across yet another episode of Liberty at
Home. Yes, that 5 minute devotional
brought to you by the Liberty Baptist Church right here in
Easton. And Speaking of Easton, today's
broadcast comes to you via satellite from Easton, MA,
where, fun fact, our children's museum in Easton Village is
housed inside a historic 19-O four Firehouse.
Today I want to tell you a story about an ER visit from a few
years ago with our son AJ and how it relates to a powerful
biblical truth. But first, let's set the table
by reading today's verses in Hebrews chapter 12.
Universe #11 It says now no chastening, for the present
seemeth to be joyous, but grievous nevertheless.
Afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness
unto them which are exercised thereby.
Wherefore, lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble
knees, and make straight paths for your feet, lest that which
is lane be turned out of the way.
But let it rather be healed. When our son AJ was 8 years old,
he fell and ended up getting a deep cut right above his left
eyebrow. Sizing up the damage, my wife
Diane and I decided a trip to the ER was in order.
Of course, a patient never enjoys taking a trip to the
hospital, but we were especially concerned because our little
patient, AJ is autistic. Amongst many other challenges.
He also has sensory processing disorder, meaning that he has
difficulty dealing with certain noises and sensations.
We knew that getting stitches for AJ was not going to be easy,
but once AJ was given a room, I specifically remember 1 nurse
practitioner who is absolutely amazing.
Her patience, compassion and expertise were just what was
needed in a JS unique situation. I don't know how we would have
done it without her. First she applied a topical
cream to the wound, numbing the area before the shot and the
stitches that were to follow. Now it was late in the evening
at this point and AJ slept through this part of the
treatment. Diane and I were praying that he
would simply sleep through the protein in the prodding that was
to come. A boy who are we?
Naive. As soon as the needle touched
his skin, he tried to jump clear off the bed.
He was angry, inconsolable really.
He was dazed, he was confused, and he could not be reasoned
with. Of course we had to do something
because if he couldn't stay still, he could likely get even
more hurt. So after trying a few other
measures, we ended up having to wrap him in a blanket and hold
him on the bed. One nurse kept his head still
while another held his feet. Diane and I held his torso in
his legs. Holding back the tears.
We tried to sue them as he yelled and he cried.
We knew it was for his own welfare and safety, but let me
tell you, it broke our hearts. 6 excruciating stitches later, we
were done. AJ was discharged, went back to
sleep and we made the drive back to Easton in silence, trying to
recover from the trauma of the evening.
Every couple of minutes I look back in the rearview mirror at
AJ for some reassurance. He was now resting quietly in
the back seat and well on the way to recovery.
You know, it hadn't been fun, but we knew that unless we had
held him down he would never have healed properly or even
worse, he could have severely been hurt by the practitioners
sharp needle. Later, as I thought back on that
evening, I was reminded that often times God has to do
something similar with us. Remember Hebrews chapter 12,
verse 11? That tells us now No chastening
for the present seemed to be joyous, but grievous
nevertheless. Afterward it yielded the
peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised
thereby. There are times God has to
correct us, Hold us down if you will, to protect us from our own
selves. Often we make sinful, foolish
decisions that are contrary to God's Word and His will for our
lives. To protect us from ourselves, He
has to correct us in our limited understanding.
God's children, figuratively and sometimes literally, yell and
scream at God for hurting us. Yet God and His infinite love,
understanding, and wisdom often has to protect us from ourselves
so that we can heal properly. This healing brings the
peaceable fruit of righteousness, which would be
unattainable unless He performed the grievous work on us first.
Have you been arguing, kicking, maybe even bargaining with God?
Trying to get out of a difficult situation?
Be careful what you ask for because you might end up missing
out on the healing that God is trying to bring to your soul.
Next time God tries to save you from yourself, let's trust Him
and that He always has His best in mind for His children.
Well, with all that being said, it's time for us to part for
this week. I'm looking forward to being
with you this next week as we celebrate the resurrection of
Jesus on Easter Sunday. And Speaking of that, you are
cordially invited to our services this coming week.
You can join us for a Friday service at 7:00 PM where we
consider the crucifixion of Jesus, which took place on a
Wednesday. Now intrigue.
You'll have to visit to learn more.
And don't forget our Resurrection Sunday service at
11 AM with a free breakfast served before at 9:45 AM.
Visit us in person at 800 Washington St. in Easton or find
us.online@mylibertybaptist.org. Well, this is Adam Rivero
signing off by reminding you that where the Spirit of the
Lord is, there's liberty. See you next week right here on
Liberty at Home.