The Boo-Boo of Bobos

“Mommy, I need a Band-Aid®!” As I examined my children's superficial wounds, moved by their tear-filled eyes throughout their childhood, I did what most mothers do: I cleaned and disinfected the bo-bo, put on a bandage, and kissed it to make it feel better. Sometimes none was needed, but I don’t think I misled them into thinking those actions healed all wounds. Instead, my actions showed my love for them, and I cared about their hurts. But children grow up and, like us, learn that some injuries need more than ointment, bandage, and kiss.

Barrenness wounded Sarai’s heart; she desperately wanted a child. God told Abram and her they would have a son, even though they were far beyond their childbearing years. So, Sarai waited and waited but grew impatient and took matters into her hands by having a child through her handmaid. Sarai’s barren life distorted her view of God’s care and might; she lost sight of His promise. But she wanted what she wanted when she wanted it, and her impatience caused a worldwide wound. No Band-Aid® or ointment could heal the events that followed Ishmael, whose descendants are the current Iraqi nation. Sarai didn’t trust that God controls our circumstances; He never makes mistakes, and His timing is always perfect. God faithfully kept His promise—Sarai miraculously had a son named Isaac at age ninety.

We may do what seems right, but the key—God’s promise—to having what we desire is to desire what God wants: “Delight thyself also in the Lord, and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.” Psalm 37:4–5

I confess that I must guard my thoughts on why God allows women to give birth to children who don’t want them while those whose hearts ache for a child can’t. Our daughter and her husband faced this challenge. But God opened the door for them to begin adoption proceedings for the unborn child of a mother of two children who knew she couldn’t care for a third. The mother let our children share her pregnancy journey, and our daughter was with her during her son’s birth. Years later, they adopted a special needs preschooler no one else wanted. We’ve watched both grandsons, who needed our children’s love and care,  grow into young men. Their parents, with hearts overflowing with love for others, are adopting two more children who are siblings. But a governmental glitch wounded their hearts by halting the process for them and other adoptive families from finalizing their adoptions underway. God can heal such wounds. His will, His timing.

We must trust the great Physician’s healing power with our wounded bodies and aching hearts, just as you and I want those who come to us for care and healing of life’s hurts to believe we will do what’s right for them to be well. I may not understand why God allows some things, but I don’t doubt that our heavenly Father sees and knows everything and wants His best for you and me.