Truth in a Tonsillectomy!

​          Wacky truths were revealed this week through a tonsillectomy…yep, God gave me eyes to see just a glimpse of profound Truth through my sick kid.
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          Do you ever sit and ponder thoughts like why does God allow “bad things” to happen to “good people”? You might be thinking, no one is “good” … we are all wicked (Romans 3:23), and you are exactly right, but do you still inwardly struggle with why does God allow “bad things” to happen, period?  I try not to stay on that thought too long because what is the point and, if I am honest, I don’t know the answer.  I brush it off thinking one day it won’t matter we will be in heaven and have all the answers, but it is confusing and it runs through my head more than I’d like to admit. 

         God wants us to see Him, to know Him on an intimate level, and this week- He took me on a little field trip of life to grasp some tough realties, and for that, I am forever grateful.

        For years, my eleven-year-old son, Seth, would get strep throat, bronchitis, tonsillitis, you name it- the kid had it, which led us to a doctor who said, “He has a narrow air-way and large infected tonsils.  They need out.” Three different doctors said it was time.  The older the kids are, many times, the harder it is to recover.  An eleven-year-old might have a harder time, but better now than an eighteen-year-old, Seth. 

        So, we set up the surgery, bought tons of ice-cream and soft food for the weeks to follow, drove him to the hospital, and stood by- watched and waited as a man wheeled our child back to an operating room to cut out infected parts of his body.  We didn’t just allow it to happen, we took many steps to make it happen.  Why?  Because, “It was time.”  The infected parts needed pruned out.  It was causing bad things to happen and it was a painful solution. 

        My husband and I got to experience the goofy “drugged” Seth in pre-op.  We got all blackmail videos we could handle- HILLARIOUS!  Then, the surgery was done.  We took him home and he laid on the couch.  Day one and two went like the doc said it would go.  He was a champ, enjoying all the attention, all the ice-cream he could handle, and the anticipation of two weeks off school brought a smile to his face. He made the comments, “This isn’t near as bad as I thought it would be.  I was expecting the worst!” … and then days three and four came.  Just like the doc said, the pain was much worse.  Those big blue eyes staring up at me- pleading to make the pain go away, but in my heart, I knew and still know the “why’s” of why we drove him to the hospital and caused him so much pain.  He needed it.  We are not even a week in, and it has truly been tough watching him struggle to even swallow, but in the end, it will be good for him.

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:2-4

        Creator God knows what parts of our bodies need cut out because they are infected, just like He knows the who’s and the what’s that need cut out, as well.    Why does God allow and lead us through hard times and trials?  Because He loves us more than we could ever love- even our own kids. The infected tonsils causing problems for my son’s entire body, needed out.   We allowed him to go through something extremely painful for his own good.  Watching it has been difficult, but I am trusting it will help him later in his life.
 
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.”  John 15:1-2

​        We go through pruning by the Father to bring life.  Without pain, healing can’t come.  God allows us to go through pain for our own good!  Praise the LORD!  If we could see through Truth, we could see God’s character as it is.  He is good and He is for us.   Many of the “why’s” in life will never be answered this side of heaven, but I am thankful for seeing my son’s pain through the love I have in my heart.   I am not being mean to my son or indifferent, quite the opposite.  I LOVE him enough to help him.  Even when he didn’t know how to help himself. 
       
​        Next time I go through a painful time in life I will cherish this revelation even more, our GOOD Father is not being mean or indifferent, quite the opposite.  We may not understand it, but He loves us enough to help us, even when we don’t know we need the help.  Through a tonsillectomy or break-up, God truly does know best.  We need to trust Him even more when times are tough because He is protecting us from something much worse. 
 
        If you are holding back questions because you don’t know the answers, remember He wants us to KNOW HIM- The Truth, He created us and has every hair on our head numbered.  He is before all things and in Him, all things hold together.  (Colossians 1:17) The wacky Truths revealed this week are for all of us.  God the Father took many steps for His Only Son to come to earth to take our place on that cross.  He saw His Son’s pain through the love in His heart.  He loved us so much He gave His ONE AND ONLY SON that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  John 3:16.