The Right Thing To Do

Last Friday, they backed out of the driveway at 1:46 PM. I know because I purposely looked at my watch as the moment happened. As Tonya shifted the car into drive and they headed down the street headed toward a 2:15 PM doctor appointment, Parker looked up, smiled and waved. He was headed to the doctor for a check-up (I remained at home to stay with Turner during his nap). This was not just any check-up, this was the check-up where a child receives multiple shots so he can attend kindergarten. And while we had discussed what to expect with Parker, I couldn't help but wonder, as he smiled and headed down the street, "Does he really understand what's about to happen?" Does he know what lies ahead?".

As the next couple of hours passed, I divided my time between wishing I could be there to support Parker while at the same time being thankful that I didn't have to go. Time was spent alternately between praying for Parker (and Tonya) and trying not to think about or "dwell" on what was happening.

If you are a parent, you try to protect your child from painful situations. But sometimes, as in this case, it was for Parker's good. It was the right thing to do. For Parker's health, for his education, for his future, though temporarily painful, it was the right thing to do.

Here's The Point: Many times in life, we try to avoid painful situations. We don't want to go through tough times. But sometimes, rather than running, we just need to tough it out, to live through it, to deal with our situation. Because it's probably temporary. And because it's the right thing to do.

By the way, at exactly 4:30 PM on Friday, Tonya and Parker arrived back home. Wearing three really cool Charlie Brown/Snoopy bandages, holding a gift we had promised him for after he got his shots and with a promise of a chocolate shake that night, Parker was in great shape. He'd made it through the tough times (he'll proudly tell you he teared up but didn't cry); he'd been immunized against disease; and he was prepared to begin his elementary education. It was the right thing to do.