A Lesson From the ER | Liberty at Home

You can learn a lot from a trip to the hospital.

Find out a lesson learned at the ER on this weeks episode of

Liberty at Home and you won't even be charged a copay.

Hello there, faithful ecat viewer.

You've stumbled across yet another episode of Liberty at

Home. Yes, that 5 minute devotional

brought to you by the Liberty Baptist Church right here in

Easton. And Speaking of Easton, today's

broadcast comes to you via satellite from Easton, MA,

where, fun fact, our children's museum in Easton Village is

housed inside a historic 19-O four Firehouse.

Today I want to tell you a story about an ER visit from a few

years ago with our son AJ and how it relates to a powerful

biblical truth. But first, let's set the table

by reading today's verses in Hebrews chapter 12.

Hebrews 12 · chapter mention

Universe #11 It says now no chastening, for the present

seemeth to be joyous, but grievous nevertheless.

Afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness

unto them which are exercised thereby.

Wherefore, lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble

knees, and make straight paths for your feet, lest that which

is lane be turned out of the way.

But let it rather be healed. When our son AJ was 8 years old,

he fell and ended up getting a deep cut right above his left

eyebrow. Sizing up the damage, my wife

Diane and I decided a trip to the ER was in order.

Of course, a patient never enjoys taking a trip to the

hospital, but we were especially concerned because our little

patient, AJ is autistic. Amongst many other challenges.

He also has sensory processing disorder, meaning that he has

difficulty dealing with certain noises and sensations.

We knew that getting stitches for AJ was not going to be easy,

but once AJ was given a room, I specifically remember 1 nurse

practitioner who is absolutely amazing.

Her patience, compassion and expertise were just what was

needed in a JS unique situation. I don't know how we would have

done it without her. First she applied a topical

cream to the wound, numbing the area before the shot and the

stitches that were to follow. Now it was late in the evening

at this point and AJ slept through this part of the

treatment. Diane and I were praying that he

would simply sleep through the protein in the prodding that was

to come. A boy who are we?

Naive. As soon as the needle touched

his skin, he tried to jump clear off the bed.

He was angry, inconsolable really.

He was dazed, he was confused, and he could not be reasoned

with. Of course we had to do something

because if he couldn't stay still, he could likely get even

more hurt. So after trying a few other

measures, we ended up having to wrap him in a blanket and hold

him on the bed. One nurse kept his head still

while another held his feet. Diane and I held his torso in

his legs. Holding back the tears.

We tried to sue them as he yelled and he cried.

We knew it was for his own welfare and safety, but let me

tell you, it broke our hearts. 6 excruciating stitches later, we

were done. AJ was discharged, went back to

sleep and we made the drive back to Easton in silence, trying to

recover from the trauma of the evening.

Every couple of minutes I look back in the rearview mirror at

AJ for some reassurance. He was now resting quietly in

the back seat and well on the way to recovery.

You know, it hadn't been fun, but we knew that unless we had

held him down he would never have healed properly or even

worse, he could have severely been hurt by the practitioners

sharp needle. Later, as I thought back on that

evening, I was reminded that often times God has to do

something similar with us. Remember Hebrews chapter 12,

Hebrews 12:11

verse 11? That tells us now No chastening

for the present seemed to be joyous, but grievous

nevertheless. Afterward it yielded the

peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised

thereby. There are times God has to

correct us, Hold us down if you will, to protect us from our own

selves. Often we make sinful, foolish

decisions that are contrary to God's Word and His will for our

lives. To protect us from ourselves, He

has to correct us in our limited understanding.

God's children, figuratively and sometimes literally, yell and

scream at God for hurting us. Yet God and His infinite love,

understanding, and wisdom often has to protect us from ourselves

so that we can heal properly. This healing brings the

peaceable fruit of righteousness, which would be

unattainable unless He performed the grievous work on us first.

Have you been arguing, kicking, maybe even bargaining with God?

Trying to get out of a difficult situation?

Be careful what you ask for because you might end up missing

out on the healing that God is trying to bring to your soul.

Next time God tries to save you from yourself, let's trust Him

and that He always has His best in mind for His children.

Well, with all that being said, it's time for us to part for

this week. I'm looking forward to being

with you this next week as we celebrate the resurrection of

Jesus on Easter Sunday. And Speaking of that, you are

cordially invited to our services this coming week.

You can join us for a Friday service at 7:00 PM where we

consider the crucifixion of Jesus, which took place on a

Wednesday. Now intrigue.

You'll have to visit to learn more.

And don't forget our Resurrection Sunday service at

11 AM with a free breakfast served before at 9:45 AM.

Visit us in person at 800 Washington St. in Easton or find

[email protected]. Well, this is Adam Rivero

signing off by reminding you that where the Spirit of the

Lord is, there's liberty. See you next week right here on

Liberty at Home.