Vaccinations.
They have caused quite a stir in our family but not due to a divided opinion.
Our granddaughter is a toddler still in the midst of the childhood vaccines. On her last routine physical, she required four, two in each leg.
She’s a trooper, who hardly minds the shots at all. She is proud to admit she is brave, has courage, and she does.
It’s what happens afterwards which presents the problem.
She does not want the band-aids to be removed and amazingly enough, they stick forever. They have now adhered for weeks, surviving baths and changes of clothing.
My daughter-in-law removed two when she noticed a rash beginning on one leg, and has high hopes for today’s bath to remove the other two.
Who would think band-aids would create such a challenge? They also stirred other thoughts …
- Covering up our sins will eventually take a toll on us. “When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away Through my groaning all day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; My vitality was drained away as with the fever heat of summer.” (Psalm 32:3-4, NASB). David kept silent of his sin, thinking he could keep it covered up and hidden. But he was always aware of it as it continued to drain him of his strength, his stamina, and his joy in life. The same is true for us. Sin can only remain hidden for so long before its effect on us is noticed.
- Confessed sin which is covered is a blessing. “How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered!“ (Psalm 32:1, NASB). Repentance brings complete forgiveness and God remembers the sin no longer. There is a relief, a joy which comes when our relationship with God is restored.
There are two types of coverups –
one saps us of life and one brings life.
Choose life.
“Jesus asked questions, creating connection and fellowship.” I so appreciated “Jesus and Conversations“, by Deborah Rutherford. She challenges us all to keep entering conversations, even when we feel uncomfortable, even when it is awkward.
Come, sit a spell. Bring your coffee, your posts, and your thoughts. If you link up, kindly visit those who have drawn up a seat around you.
Photo by Timothy Eberly on Unsplash
Today I may be joining …
May we boldly approach the throne of grace in our time of need! Blessings as you turn to the Lord this week!
Our coverings can never be sufficient. I’m grateful for God’s covering of our sin.
So very true! Only One covering will ever be ample for all people, for all time.
Love the analogy and the video!
I loved the video too, Debbie. I don’t think I had ever seen it before this week, and I had to share it!
Great analogy, Joanne, I know I am guilty of using my own “coverings” for my sin. But I am grateful that God does not allow me to stay in that condition but continues to lead me to repentance and the only true covering which will bring complete spiritual healing!
I am so grateful He does not leave us in our feeble attempts to cover. He pursues and gently uncovers and then covers us with Himself.
I love where you went with this, Joanne. The anecdote about your granddaughter reminds me of a story that is part of Flowers family lore … when my daughter Lilly had her five-year checkup, she got a flu shot and four other vaccinations. She did fine with the first couple but when she looked down and saw her arm bleeding after the second batch, she came unglued. From that day forward, she referred to this experience as the day she “got five flu shots.” 🙂
I love Lily’s “five flu shots”! Toddlers, and their stories, are just the best. I continue to learn so much from them. And I am pretty certain Eliza will be arriving with some old bandaids and a new one this morning 🙂
Wonderful use of word play for covered! With our little ones, we when we pray for boo-boos, we ask for God’s band-aid (a scab) to cover the wound as it heals. I am so glad that God covers our sins and heals our wounds – and I am so glad that because of Him, I don’t have to live a “cover-up” life! What an encouraging post accompanied by a perfect video!
Amen, Maryleigh! We no longer live a covered-up life!
Great analogy, Joanne, and awesome video!
Those bandaids testify to her bravery! My daughter has to remove bandaids while my grandson is sleeping 😆. May we always remember our healing comes from accepting Jesus—whose wounds provide healing.
We have talked about removing them when she is sleeping 🙂 Anita, this was beautiful >> “May we always remember our healing comes from accepting Jesus—whose wounds provide healing.” His wounds = our healing.
Loved it Ms. Joanne! Thank you ma’am
I love this analogy Joanne!
Blessings, Jennifer
When I was teaching preschool, bandaids were a big deal! If one child had a scratch and received a bandaid, it was amazing the number of little ones who suddenly sported boo-boos and ouchies. Love the application here!
Blessings,
Tammy
It is amazing how “contagious” those bandaids can become, especially depending on the design on them
What a great analogy. Isn’t it something that everyday happenings recall and relate to Biblical lessons. Loved the song.
Visiting today from #7&23
Paula, I truly learn the most in the everyday happenings. It’s why I named my blog Days & Thoughts 🙂
Your story brought a smile of remembrance to my heart. Little ones can attach so much power to bandaids. But what a great picture of both sides of spiritual cover-ups.
They truly do attach much power to bandaids, Donna. She even lived with an invisible bandaid when it finally came off over the weekend 🙂 I think we kind of do the same thing spiritually. The Lord uncovers something and we still limp and ache after He has healed or forgiven us. So many lessons to be learned from one little bandaid. So grateful you commented!
I love the analogy of the bandaid. Bandaids are just that… a temporary coverup that can bring irritation if kept on too long! Our first reaction to our sin may be to simply cover it up as it is shameful, embarrassing and more. But, when we confess to God and allow Him to rip off that Bandaid, His healing grace does oh so much that the cover-up ever could! I’m so thankful for His forgiveness!
Blessings, Jo
It is a most wonderful feeling to realize we don’t need a bandaid any longer!
And I’m glad you shared your posts as well!