When my 10

When my 10-year old son broke his arm while inline
skating, we did the quick run to the emergency room,
where the doctors and nurses gave him wonderful care.
After the x-rays confirmed the damage, the doctor
offered to re-set the bone prior to putting on a
splint. Mikey agreed, even though he was told the
procedure would be painful. As the doctor began
the process, Mikey began to change his mind (vociferously).
I told him to grab my hand, turn his face to me, and
concentrate on trying to see every detail of my eyes.
He did, and as he and I talked about what he was
seeing, the doctor made a couple of final adjustments,
causing Mikey to wince a bit, but not stop our conversation.

After the splint was in place, and just before the doctor
returned to release him, Mikey turned to me, and said,
"Dad, when I was focusing on your face, it didn't hurt
as bad." I was so grateful that my little attempt to distract
had in fact helped my son.

I tell you this story because it occurs to me that we
often experience pain in life. The pain can be physical,
mental or emotional. Sometimes it can seem unbearable.
But if we choose to do so, we can focus on our
heavenly Father, and talk with Him about "whatever
is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever
is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute...
and the God of peace will be with [us]." And if we
do this, for as long as necessary, I believe our pain,
whatever the source, won't be so bad.