Sorry to go so long without posting. I hope to be more consistent in the future.
Sandy and I have an infant son, Benjamin. He is a complete joy to us. In the 8 months he has blessed us, he has taught me about life and myself. Most importantly, he has given me a small glimpse of how God must feel about us. I’d like to talk about that in an on-and-off series.
When Ben was only 5 months old, he had surgery to remove his thyroid. Ben was born with a genetic malady that would later result in thyroid cancer. It would kill him young if left unchecked. The doctors had only one choice: remove the thyroid before the cancer begins. Only then could they be sure to got everything.
On April 16th, one day before Ben turned 5 months old, we went to St. Louis and surgery would be the next day. A bit of divine intervention made sure we went there instead of the closer children’s hospital in Des Moines. In Des Moines, they were going to remove 3 of the 4 parathyroids, too. That would mean more medication all Ben’s life. As it is, he has to take synthroid every day. The St. Louis team planned to leave the parathyroids in.
Waiting for the surgery to begin was nerve wracking. But it was nothing compared to waiting while Ben was in surgery and post op.
While waiting, talking with friends, and praying, I thought about the crucifixion. How had the Father felt seeing the Son hang on the cross for our sins? My sorrow was nothing compared to His. I knew that in a few hours, Sandy and I would have our boy back and he wouldn’t get sick in the future. But that knowledge meant little to us while waiting for the doctor to return. Likewise, while the Son hung on the cross, He and the Father knew it was only for a short time and the returns would be great, but do you think that as the nails were driven into Jesus’ wrist that the Father comforted himself by saying, “In three days I’ll have my boy back and He shall make the way for many others to follow”?
I don’t think there was any comforting the Father that day. The cross was as necessary for humanity’s salvation as the surgery was for Ben’s future. But necessary doesn’t make the hurt less.
