A Lap to Cry On

"So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn’t hesitate to put everything on the line for us... is there anything else he wouldn’t gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God’s chosen? 
     ...Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins ...
     ...None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable--absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us." (Romans 8:31-39 MSG *excerpts)

“But I want a NEW one!” Trey screamed. 

I flinched and raised my voice even louder, “That's ENOUGH! You broke it after I warned you to be careful!”

Tugging at my heart-ears, I heard an inner prompt. “This isn't about the toy, Rosalyn.”

Taking a deep breath, with a screaming, crying, kicking four year old in the back seat, I pulled the car over into an empty lot and shut it off. 

Trey was immediately alert, “Why are you stopping?!”

I unbuckled his seat belt. “Trey, come here and sit in my lap.” He cautiously crept to the front and I folded him into my lap. “Just sit with Momma. I know you are sad that your toy is broken. I understand that you are angry that I won't get you a new one. I think that you have a very sad heart right now – especially with all of the changes at home. I wonder if you are mad at Momma that Daddy isn't living with us right now...? Go ahead and cry, baby. Momma will hold you.”

And my little man sat in my lap, put his head on my chest and cried. Really cried. For broken toys, for unmet expectations, for his missing Daddy and for his hurting heart. I cried with him and prayed for wise words. 

Barely above a whisper, I spoke the words that we both needed to hear: “No matter what you do, I love you. Your anger and frustration don't scare me – I will hold you until you can feel calm in your heart again. I will always love you. Nothing you do will change that. You can tell me anything, it's okay. I love you. You are special. You are going to be a powerful force for God. God has amazing plans for you. I will do everything I can to help you become who God needs you to be.”

And I knew that I was speaking to my own heart. And maybe yours.   

Today, be encouraged: “No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:39 NLT)

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