Shots and Suckers

Handle this.... And you'll get this:

That's what we told our kids this morning as we lined them all up on the bench awaiting their annual flu vaccinations. Jackie bravely took the chair first, got the shot and promplty got his reward of a sucker. Jillian followed the same way. Joey figured out the trick-- if I sit on Papa's lap in the chair, then I will get a sucker. He was begging to get up in that chair! But... it was Jenna's turn. But... Jenna was obviously disturbed and not going to get in that chair, so Joey got to go before her. The nurse put that bowl of suckers right in front of him as the nurse got the shot ready for him. His eyes fixed on the suckers, he barely flinched when she actually administered the shot, and then claimed his prize, opened it and indulged. Jenna, still disturbed, had to be held down, wouldn't look at the suckers, got the shot and was inconsolable. Her eyes still fixed on the needle and the nurse who inflicted the pain, she could care less there was a sucker awaiting her.

As I watched this, I realized this was a microscopic picture of trials in life, but the hope we have of rewards and eternal life in heaven. Yes, our troubles are much bigger than a shot. But... if we can remember to keep our eyes fixed not on the trial, but the reward, the shot will not seem so bad after all. Keep our eyes fixed on the shot, and we get caught up in the here and now, and completely lose sight of the end goal. Easier said than done..... but here is what the Creator of heaven and earth says about this:

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:2-3