wounded children.

last night at work i was running around playing house. eating plastic food. blowing up multiple things with the boys. reading books. and loving on children.

little did i know they would show me a greater glimpse of love.

kaylin is a spunky little two year old girl. always dressed in pink and usually found dragging a pink blanket not far behind her.

last night she was playing on the blocks, and suddenly started running - which landed her head straight into the wall. not having seen it happen, but heard the hard hit, i immediately turned around to see her laying on the ground - holding a cry to the point of silence and a lack of breathing.

i scooped kaylin up. blew in her face so she would have to breathe again. and simply held her so tight. she was scared. and i'm sure she felt unexplainable pain. the busyness of running around had slowed down in a matter of seconds. and in that moment i got to hold her near. rock her. and remind her that she was going to be ok.

after one large raised bump on her forehead, and fifteen minutes of being held, kaylin was ready and willing to play again.

sitting with kaylin, loving her and holding her, reminded me of how much each of us desire the same. when we're 'playing' and embracing the joys of life - we're not expecting the unpredictable to hit hard. where pain meets us in the unexpected. but inevitably it does and it will again. and in those exact moments our Savior gets to hold us near. embrace His child. and wash love over us. i can't imagine the pain of the Savior in moments when we attempt to put a band-aid on a fresh wound and refuse the need or want to be held and embraced.

allowing ourselves to be gripped by a hand of grace.
allowing ourselves to be wounded - so that we may have hearts for the wounds of others.
allowing ourselves to be held and simply drawn near to the heart of our Savior.