I Made Him Cry!

Friends,

Have you ever made a child cry?

No, not as a result of discipline or consequences, but from merely playing with them?! I did today...and felt just AWFUL.

I was playing pretend and made my little boy cry! Yet again, it was our son, Jeremiah (ironically called the "Weeping Prophet" in the Bible by scholars) who displayed Jesus' love for me in a HUGE way during our playtime together. Here is a little view for you and a lifetime lesson for me....

Playtime was on the agenda today for sure! See, yesterday, I was gone all day visiting new friends (Hi!) in North Carolina. However, that did not stop the BIG news of a new play sword being purchased reaching me before I even made it home! I have not figured out if Jeremiah wears a belt every day because of his amazing fashion sense just shy of 5 years old, or that is just how he can wear his sword and sheath all day. With my guess on the latter, and after drawing chalk castles and riding 3-wheeled horses, we created our scene.

The railing to our steps was the first dungeon.


And the second, was behind an old wooden chair.


In full character, I ran between the two calling to "the guard." First, I needed water, then I took a chance asking for a banana split which was served with a kind, "I even put extra bananas in it for ya!"

How sweet is that?! I know it only makes this story THAT much worse...or EVEN better, you'll have to decide!

So, the "convicted" from behind the stair railing called, "Guard! I must tell you. I took my friend's toy and I am so very sorry, I just feel plain awful about it, will you forgive me and set me free so I can go apologize to her?" The guard pulls his brand new, plastic, silver, made in China, sword out of the sheath and cuts the lock off of my handcuffs and says, "Sure, you can go to forgive her. You are free!"

With a proud guard placing his sword back in the sheath, I ran over behind the chair and called, "Guaaarrrrdddd! Now I want out! And I want out NOW! I am not sorry for bonking my friend on the head. Can I go free?" The guard answers in the same sweet tone, "No. Sorry you can't."

But going for the Oscar nomination, I persist. "Guaaarrrddd, what happened to the other person? Gone? Set free? First I want some oatmeal this morning and then I want to be set free!" Further award-wining dialog shares, "No, I can't say that I am really sorry for bonking my friend on the head. Pleaseeeee set me free?"

That is when it happened, friends. My preschooler with an amazing imagination started to cry ever so loudly with immediate red cheeks, huge tears streaming down his face, and the saddest countenance ever! I rush from behind the chair, move it aside, swoop him up in my arms, and sat him on my lap. "What is wrong, Jeremiah?!" He then explains the theology of forgiveness to me without even a commentary.

"Momma, when you were saying those hurtful words, and not being loving, I could not set you free. You did not want to forgive, it just made me feel so sad in my heart." And with that, the crying continued harder and louder. As I sat there holding my sad little boy with a brand new sword, I thanked God Jeremiah knew more than me today, even if I made him cry.

Yes, friends, I really did need a preschooler to tell me how Jesus has been feeling lately in reGUARD to me. Jesus has wept at my own unwillingness. I have made Him cry. His SWORD not only frees but provides the instructions for a CLEAN get away. Like pages of a book left on a cell floor, I share with hopes that you'll read between the railings and see how much TRUTH was shared in this just 20 minute playtime...others may need a WAY out.

"For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23

"For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." Matthew 6:14-15

"For the word of God is quick and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints, and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Hebrews 4:12

"And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God." Ephesians 6:17

"Which executeth judgement for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry, the Lord looseth the prisoners." Psalm 146:7

"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound." Isaiah 61:1

"Jesus said unto them, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:6