The Splinter

Tonight I had to do what every mother hates to do. I had to remove a splinter from my daughters heel. Not just any splinter, but one that had been there a few days, unknown to me. So, I had her take a nice long bath and told her that after she had soaked awhile, we would go in the living room and I would get the tweezers out and remove it.
Well, the time had come, and she was very brave. I spent a few moments looking it over trying to figure my best course of attack. I had some tweezers, some medical scissors, and some clippers, all of which just heightened her anxiety.
After a few unsuccessful attempts, she started crying hysterically. I tried to sooth her and calm her down, but nothing was working. I tried again, and this time she started hollering, " Momma, stop! Stop! No more, it's too painful when you touch it."
I stopped messing with it and tried to explain that it was hurting because the splinter had been in there a few days and we had to get it out so that it would not get infected.
I began again, with sobs still flooding in, and I finally made a little progress. I retrieved a small portion of the splinter. I showed it to her, thinking she would be glad that I had some of it out, but instead she started wailing again. This time she wanted only one thing.
"Momma, I need to snuggle with you for a minute. Please, Momma."
I took her in my arms, stroked her hair, and wiped her tear stained face. I began telling her how sorry I was that it was hurting, but sometimes it has to hurt a little more, before it gets better. I explained about having to take nasty medicine, to feel better; about shots, that hurt for a minute but keep us from getting sick. She seemed to understand, but it still just killed me to have to cause her pain, even if for the good.
I gave her a quick squeeze and began to think of all the times, that my Heavenly Father had done the same for me. How many times, I was given just a quick respite during a painful time of growth. Just enough to catch my breath, and catch His grace. How He lovingly reassures me in my distress, wipes my tears, and gives me just enough for the next part of the journey.
As I laid her back and began to work again on the splinter, it got worse before it got better. The tears were heavy and the sobs were heart breaking so I stopped to give her another respite but nothing prepared me for her next outcry as I embraced her.
"Momma, this is just like getting a spanking."
While it broke my heart, it also made me smile. On the few occasions when she has gotten a spanking, she is always more broken hearted than she is anything else. I have to hug her before and after her spanking, and then again multiple times in the following hours, as she is still dealing with the broken heart aspect of the spanking.
After I soothed her tears, I explained that a spanking is used to correct bad behavior and that is different from the splinter. The sadness or heart break that she was feeling was similar in each scenario, but the reason for the feelings were polar opposites. Yet in each instance, she wanted comfort and grace from me.
I guess, I am the same way with my Father. I want Him to comfort me just the same, whether I was in sin, or if I was in pain. I just want His arms around me.
How often do I exchange one feeling for the other.
Thank you Jesus, for loving me despite my sin.
Thank you Father for loving me in my pain.