Bad Tasting Medicine

photo credit: Reusable Art

Daniel was sick this week.  When you live in or have traveled to Africa, and you develop a sudden high fever, it is prudent to test for malaria.  Daniel tested negative and it turned out to be just a "bug."  He's much better now.  He's a pretty smart kid, getting sick during the school week and then recovering in time for the weekend.  The rest of us seem to have managed to fight off whatever it is he caught thus far.  Emily's youth group is going on a retreat next week during spring break, so pray for their safety and for the speaker.  Last year Josh and Emily came back spiritually refreshed and physically exhausted.  The kittens have opened their eyes and are starting to actually walk, as opposed to dragging their little bodies around with their front legs like seals.  We are really enjoying them.  I can't say the same about their mama today since last night she decided to sharpen her claws on my Bible and tore up parts of John and Acts.  I was tired and left it on the table, opened, when I went to bed.  I should have known better.  She's always had a paper fetish.  

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I count it a privilege as well as a calling to home school.  Once one of the kids, at a young age, came to me with a question about the history lesson on the life of Abraham.  “Mom, what’s circumcision?”  I explained.  A couple of days later, the same child asked, “Mom, what’s weaning?”  I explained.  The next day, as my child was getting out books and preparing to read a history lesson, I heard this proclamation: “I don’t think I wanna ask anymore questions about history!”  I asked why and my child replied: “cause I don’t like the answers.”

            I love that my kids feel comfortable being honest and direct with me, even if it means telling me they don’t like my answers.  When I heard my child’s statement, I suppressed my laugh and we talked about how even if what we discuss isn’t a fun or comfortable subject, I would always give truthful answers.   

            Sometimes I have to hear truths that I don’t find enjoyable.  Like this morning when I woke up and my husband told me the cat had torn up my Bible.  Or when someone I love was diagnosed with cancer.  Or when God reveals something to me that I need to repent of or surrender to Him.  Sometimes I feel like saying to God: “I don’t think I want to ask you to search my heart anymore.”   Other times I don’t want to ask God what his will is about something because I already know it, or think I do, and I don’t want to hear it.  Sometimes the truth is like a bad tasting medicine.  It tastes awful, and we don't want to take it, but once ingested it works for our good.

            I’m grateful that I can trust God to always give me truthful answers.  He IS the Truth.  I can be confident that even if what He tells me is unpleasant, it is for my good, so I need not be afraid to hear it.

The Truth Will Set You Free (John 8:31) (Photo credit: technovore)