Praise for Elbow Punches to the Face
Not many people can say this, but I thanked God after my son took three elbow punches to the face while I watched. If you’ve read my past mama bear blogs you know I was coming out of my skin, witnessing my child take a hit.
My youngest had a wrestling tournament this weekend where he was to go up against the number one ranked kid for the event as his last match. I will give the opponent some grace in saying that he probably panicked because he was down points. My son had him in a tilt about to pin him when he smashed his elbow into my son’s nose—not once but three times. As the youngest of three, my son is tough. He took the blows and won the match, taking first place. But getting first place wasn’t why I praised God.
On the way to the match, I’d prayed for God’s protection over Matthew. Some might wonder how receiving three elbow bashes would be an answer to that prayer, but Matthew’s nose didn’t bleed. I recorded the match and caught on video the strength of those blasts, the audience’s gasps, and the following shouts for TC (technical call) from all over the gym. However, Matthew appeared unaffected. He had no bruising, swelling, or black eyes. He was fine. With the hubbub of his team congratulating him and parents asking me if I was okay (they must have seen my face), it didn’t occur to me until the drive home that God had heard my prayer for protection and answered. I immediately started to thank and praise him, but it should have been my first response.
Luke 17:11-19 tells about the time Jesus healed ten lepers. They called out, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us! (v.13)” and Jesus told them to go show themselves to the priests. Before they reached the priests, the lepers were miraculously healed. Only one of the ten came back to thank Jesus.
How often am I like one of the ten? I ask for God’s help but then get caught up in the moment and forget to go back and thank him. Psalm 103:2 says, “Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me.”
New Year’s is a time of reflection. We’re to look back over the past year of 2024 and thank God for the blessings He’s given us. However, we shouldn’t dwell in the past, pining for what had been. New Year’s is also a time to look to the future. Job 8:7 states, “Your beginnings will seem humble, so prosperous will your future be.” God is doing a new thing, and we are to praise Him for the blessings to come.
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. - Isaiah 43:19