a child's pain

Oh how I long to lift these burdens from her, but I’m left to watch from the side,

praying she’ll know not every season’s like this, praying her pain will subside.

Still this wasn’t what I had envisioned, and I struggle to understand why,

adversity looks to swallow her up, while I’m helpless to only stand by.

Lord, please help me to see what I’m missing in this. My little one never expected

to endure such pain—and at a tender age, still—Please hear our pleas and correct it.

There are dreams that hang in the balance, I tell Him, success that hard work can achieve.

Carefree and happy, now this pulls her down, and I’m left with her tears on my sleeve.

As I wait for the answer, faith and patience are tested. I just wish her trials were mine.

In a quiet moment, the darkness is parted, I feel an answer clear and divine.

“Dear one, be still, and know I am God. I see the beginning through eternity.

I know what it means to see your child suffer. Now open your eyes and you’ll see.

The refiner finds the gold through fire, and the strongest trees endure wind and rain.

My children’s souls are greater than these. I see who they’ll become through their pain.

So calm your troubled heart and mind; this struggle is only a season.

I need you both to become so much more, every trial carries a reason.”

And for a moment I view her through Heaven’s eyes—her divine potential I see.

I remember a Father’s love as He must have looked down, on Golgotha and Gethsemane.

This will pass, I whisper softly to her, the pain gone, you’ll be stronger than ever before.

You will lift and bless others, helping them to see too, greater joys are always in store.

-hb mercy

(photo taken on a hike in kandersteg, bern, switzerland)