I Need a Bandaid!

"I Need a Bandaid" could easily be up for consideration for the motto that best reflects childhood.  Why is that?  Think about it.  That short sentence sums up these things about this young time of life:

1.  Kids often get hurt when they play
2.  Kids are dramatic
3.  Kids' problems are often easily fixed
4.  Kids take risks - often unwise risks
5.  Kids lie many times or at the very least exaggerate the truth
6.  Kids crave attention
7.  Kids are excellent communicators
8.  Kids are great at persuasive speech (whining/increasing drama till they were us down)
9.  Kids require and demand love

I have put bandaids on marker stains, ketchup stains and other mysterious reddish-colored stains on fingers, knees, toes, and even faces.  Yes, there have even been a few instances where I have put bandaids over real blood.  Not a gush of blood, thankfully, but a mere drop or two of blood.

Sometimes even the incessant requests for bandaids can put us mothers over the edge.  Sure, putting bandages on knees is tender and sweet for awhile.  But very shortly, it becomes aggravating because in order for the child to get the bandaid, I need to stop what I am doing and go to where I am not and put a bandaid on an ouchie that usually doesn't exist.  The whole thing is maddening - to me, at least!

But, if I am willing to stop, get the bandaids and apply it to the marker stain that the child is convinced is a life-ending injury, I will receive a gift.  A gift of love.  A hug.  A kiss.  That easily, I am able to fill a need for my child.

Mama, I don't know about you, but I love unexpected gifts!

Are we mamas really so different?  I don't know about you, but I need Jesus' love shown to me if I even think I'm hurting.  Maybe I have a speck of hurt and bad feelings because I feel that I could have handled a situation with my kids in a better way.  Maybe I have the stain of guilt for being impatient with their childish antics.  Maybe I'm hurt - the deep, down with staying power kind of hurt, because I feel defeated at parenting on a particular day.

Mamas, what is wonderful about Jesus is that He will consistently apply His bandaid of love for us every time.  We don't have to whine, we don't have to beg, we don't have to prove to Him that our injury is real.  Real or not, Jesus will love us so that we can heal.  Heal our hearts.  Heal our lack of confidence.  Heal our lack of patience.  Heal our anger.

Mamas, isn't it wonderful to sit back and be loved?  If Jesus is your personal Savior, it is happening right now!

 Psalm 103:8
The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.