That Made Me Sad

I had to laugh when my daughter told me about a recent incident at the doctor with my three-year-old grandson. He had been coughing and running a high fever so the doctor suspected he had the flu. It's just a simple test to determine the cause of his ague. The doctor just needs to swipe the inside of one of his nostrils and look to see if there are any flu bugs. Did I say this was a simple test?

Hearing my daughter describe the scene made it even funnier to me. She was holding his head with her left hand, she had his legs between her legs, and with her right hand she was trying to hold his right hand. This all the while the doctor is trying to swab his nose. Now, two adults are bigger and stronger than one three-year-old....barely. But with him flailing and crying, I imagine it was next to impossible to carry out said deed. It was probably like trying to give a cat a bath. What came next is what impacted me. Through his tears, once the struggle was over, he said, "That made me sad."

Know what makes me sad? A family who loses a parent way too soon. A couple who haven't been married very long who decide their marriage is not worth saving. Those who don't care what others think about them, so they mess up their lives with alcohol, drugs, or pornography. A mom and a dad who lose their son or daughter to the world because their faith is not strong enough. The word "cancer." Car wrecks. Apathetic attitudes toward Jesus. Those who blame all of their problems on the church or the preacher. Money over family. World over God. As a minister, in my own way I have flailed and beaten myself over many I have seen go through all of these. And I wonder, "Father, what is happening?"

But I press on. "My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness." That song continues to ring through my mind. I know that God is faithful and He is greater than anything Satan throws in our way. Martin Luther's favorite psalm was Psalm 46.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

In verse 7 it says, "...the God of Jacob is our fortress." That's our God. More important than the Olympics. Greater than any president, prime minister, or king. He reigns over all the earth. When I become overwhelmed and sad, I remember words from my earthly father who wrote to me many years ago with the wisdom he received from others. He said to me, "Jim, just remember. God is still on the throne." I've got to tell you...that makes me happy.