Today was a busy day for me. Busier than usual that is. I announced the pre-order availability for my first book, Nevertheless: Peace In Spite Of Pain, launched my website, SharondaJones.me, and designed new shirts for my non-profit organization, Little Phoenixes. All of this was in addition to my usual day-to-day tasks that come with being a wife, a mom, and an employee for the company responsible for almost all of the convention, meetings and entertainment venues in Washington, D.C.

After work, I made my way to each of my daughters' day camps. Why I didn't force them to go to the same camp is still a mystery. My 10 year old has to be picked up first because her camp ends at 4:30pm. The baby's camp, which is approximately 15 miles from her sister's, ends at 5pm. With rush hour traffic considered, let's just say I am not typically found in the slow lane.

Today I made it to the baby's camp with 8 minutes to spare, which was just enough time to stop at Dunkin Donuts for a double chocolate donut and an iced caramel macchiato. Even with my donut detour, I was still 2 minutes early. I figure, if I paid for her to be there until 5pm, what sense would it be to pick her up early?

As soon as I saw her, I knew something was wrong. She wasn't her normal happy, big grin on her face, self. When she got closer, I could see her little nose was red and raw. Most likely she had used public restroom tissue and paper towels to blow her nose throughout the day. Immediately I put my hand against her forehead and asked her if she was okay. I wonder, do all moms automatically check their child's forehead at the first sign of sickness? I know I can't be the only one.

From that single motion and validation that she was her normal temperature based on my trusted mom hand-thermometer, I concluded camp for tomorrow would proceed as scheduled. Don't judge, but the first thing that comes to my mind when one of my kids is sick is who is going to take off from work. For parents who work outside the home, the limited amount of sick leave we get has to be divided by the number of kids we have. Losing leave and wages for what ends up just being allergies is nerve wracking. So if they pass the hand to the forehead test, then chances are off they go.

Her answer to my question was "yes", she was okay. Just as I expected. But then she added, "I'm healed but it still hurts."

I was stunned briefly but I eventually responded, "yes, baby, I know it hurts but it won't last long." As soon as those words left my mouth, I was reminded of 1 Peter 5:10, that our sufferings are temporary and won't last always.

My 6 year old can even quote Isaiah 53:5 which states,

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Though I know she is too young to comprehend the magnitude of what it means for Christians, she’s clearly on the right path by declaring she is healed regardless of what the circumstances present in the natural. I thought then, if a child can do that, then why is it so hard for adult believers?

Why do we focus on how hard something is or how long we have to endure it when we know the outcome and the promises of God for our lives? We are healed in Christ Jesus, Nevertheless. We have the peace of God in spite of the pain we may be going through temporarily. Trouble won't last and even if it still hurts right now, declare your victory, nevertheless.

~Sharonda

It Still Hurts, But I Know I Am Healed