His Law Means Our Happiness

Growing up, my family had this delightful wood-burning stove that we would faithfully light in the cold winter months. Every autumn that meant hauling load upon load of firewood to our back door so that, come winter, we would be ready. Excluding the tractor and the chainsaw, it sometimes felt like our family was straight out of the pages of Little House in the Big Woods—dutifully preparing our little cabin for the fiercest of Minnesota winters.

I remember with great clarity one autumn day in which I climbed atop the trailer full of wood as my dad prepared to drive it to the house. I could hear his voice echoing in my head to sit down while the trailer was moving. But, in a burst of over-confidence I stood up, lost my balance, and tumbled to the driveway below. The outcome was a shaken and sheepish girl with two whopping skinned knees.

Our family no longer has that wood-burning stove and my father has since passed to join the faithful departed, but I remember that day like it was yesterday. And in light of today's readings I'm struck by two things:

First, my earthly father desired my good and my safety, and my Heavenly Father desires those things all the more so. He only prescribes the law for my good. (See Psalm 1:2.)

And secondly, when I fail to remember this very basic truth (and the spiritual skinned knees inevitably come), I can be comforted that He's already tending to my wounds and inviting me yet again back to Himself. May you feel these comforts, too, sisters.

I can be comforted that He's already tending to my wounds and inviting me yet again back to Himself.Click to tweet

Are you familiar with novena prayers? Here's one for when the healing isn't necessarily physical.

Karen Schultz hails from the Land of 10,000 lakes, where she is often found in or near one of them. As a doula, lactation educator, and FertilityCare Practitioner, she finds joy in helping women to embrace the gift of their bodies. Downtime is found in quiet adoration chapels, farmers markets and gardens, listening to bluegrass music, and embracing the diversity of Minnesota’s seasons. You can find out more about her here.