Rolling Over

The other night I had the privilege of watching my 4-month-old son Jonah roll over for the first time. That is at least the first time I was able to witness it. My wife has the honor of watching our two little ones and often time gets to see the first's while I am working. Having encountered this for the second time already having a beautiful two-year-old little girl, I was amazed at the life lesson I witnessed hidden inside this little struggle. As I began to revisit the struggle children go through from the time they are conceived up until they enter the world, I began to realize, life's struggles never end. Now I'm not talking about pessimism, is the glass half empty or half full, I'm talking about life's challenges that we encounter every day we are alive. Every struggle has an outcome, and the end result is always good! Let me explain. Jonah hates tummy time. If you have children you may have experienced this same frustration from your little one. When Jonah was born, he was so excited to enter this world that he broke his little clavicle coming through the birth canal. Due to his little injury, Jonah had to refrain from tummy time longer than most newborn babies. We had to wait until Jonah was 6 weeks old to begin what most newborn babies experience in their first 2-3 weeks old. This meant little things like limited time laying on mommy and daddy's chest. Some of the wonderful things you enjoy with your newly born babies. Therefore, Jonah got a late jump-start to the game of firsts. As we fast forward to this past Tuesday, Jonah was getting the oh so loved after dinner tummy time. I laid Jonah on his belly on the carpet, got down on his level and like all good dads, cheered Jonah on to "Roll over." It did not take long before Jonah began to express his frustrations with little whimpers to full out screams. His little head began to turn red and the cute vein that protrudes when he is upset started to come out. After following clear instructions from our pediatrician to "Let them cry it out," I remained calm while Jonah fought feverishly to change his situation. Now think about this for a minute, while I change your focus! This reminds me of myself, to a certain degree stubborn as most adult males. I don't need to go to the doctor; the pain will subside on its own type thinking. We often are reluctant to ask for help, go to the doctor or seek council until the situation is behind our control. We have exhausted all methods of "Doing it our self" before admitting that we need help! Let me explain it a different way, often times getting fired from your job prompts you to go back to school and finish your education. Or find a career in something you are passionate about. The loss of a loved one may move you to forgive someone that may not deserve your forgiveness. It may even cause you to pick up the phone and call that family member or friend and rekindle a broken relationship. We will remain in our painful situation long enough until we either cannot deal with it any longer or become so callused that we grow numb to the feeling of it. Now, for the first time Jonah started to move his knees toward his belly in an effort to roll over. All the while still screaming, Jonah pushed forward enough with his little feet, knees bent he made it. Jonah finally rolled over! I screamed down stairs, "Elizabeth, Jonah just rolled over." Elizabeth's response, "That's great, he did it the other day!" Thanks for sharing that with me; I had no idea. Anyhow to my notice, Jonah's frustration, screams and tears all stopped. The power of his little break through of rolling over brought immediate relief. I want to encourage you today that no matter what you are going through, there is a relief on the other side of your struggle, and it does bring freedom! It may be hard to see that today, as it always is when the storms of life are raining down on you, but know there is a tomorrow. That tomorrow brings sunny days! 1 Peter 1:6 says So be truly glad, there is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while.