When Kate gets an owie, she points at it and requires a kiss from mommy or daddy(and anyone else who is close by) to make it feel better. So far we have been blessed with no significant owies and some cuddle time and kisses is all it takes to make it all better.
I have observed from when Kate was very young that when she was hurting or in discomfort her mommy's presence was often all it took to soothe her. For example, when she was teething, she just wanted to be held all the time. Me holding her did nothing to alleviate the actual pain of her teeth, but somehow it made her stop crying, relax, and feel better.
In my life, I have observed many people with significant owies. Deep hurts that come from sickness, death of loved ones, abuse, broken families, pain of personal choices, abandonment, etc. The list of hurt and pain that is experienced in this world is endless. Many lives are significantly impacted by that hurt that time just doesn't seem to be healing.
As a Christian, I have the knowledge that God is Healer and desires to take those hurts away. As a person, who as I mentioned has encountered a lot of owies in others, I have often wondered just exactly what that looks like. How does God take away your hurt? How does he make it better? How can I help hurting people find relief?
I can show people that a relationship with their Heavenly Father does help to take away the pain. God cannot undo what has been done and make the pain immediately stop hurting in the same way that I cannot make Kate's skinned knee stop hurting with a hug. But my hug shows her that I care about her, I love her, and I am there with her until it does stop hurting.
God's presence in our lives can be the same. He doesn't make our pain immediately go away, but he sends us comfort by showing He cares, He loves us, and He isn't going away. In a sense, He gives us the ability to hold on through the pain. He gives us a purpose - something to distract us from the pain. He gives us a new way to live - choices that will not lead to more pain. Sometimes in our pain we become angry and bitter. In our bitterness we say and do things that we think are hurting the one who hurt us, but really we are only hurting ourselves. God's presence helps us to get rid of the bitterness and choose grace and love instead. This lessens your own pain.
I can not only show people to a relationship with their Heavenly Father, but I can also be a part of showing others his love. Maybe I am the one God is depending on to go give someone who is hurting that mothering hug for him. Maybe I am the one that God is depending on to hold someone's hand through a difficult time. Maybe I am the one that God wants to sit and listen to someone share their story.
Mommy's aren't miracle workers even though they make babys' owies go away. God is a miracle worker and His presence is enough to help make your owies go away.
