A Big Decision

by - January 16, 2011

Noelle enters the teen years this week. She's asked for stuffed manicotti for her birthday dinner and Reagan's homemade chocolate cake to uphold her candles.

The time has come: she's of age to make the adult decision to have her ears pierced. She has awaited this day with equal parts anticipation and fear for the better part of her life. But she wasn't expecting the chemical reaction that takes place when anticipation and fear finally combine: hesitation.

I wasn't expecting it either, and I don't have a Plan B. Pierced ears has been slated as her thirteenth birthday present since she was about four years old and began asking for it.

She really wants those earrings, and now they're within her grasp, but she must travel a road of pain to get them. It's not the Garden of Gethsemane, mind you, but it is a childlike hint of His great struggle. In order to be adorned by trophies of his grace in the train of his robe, Jesus had to be willing to be pierced.

So, what will she decide? I can tell her the pain is minimal and a lifetime of earring–wearing is worth it; I know because I've already done it. She doesn't believe me because her fear of pain speaks louder than I, and it's hard to see past pain. She'll have to want the reward more than pain–free comfort, or trust me, or both. So here she stands on the precipice of adulthood and her first choice is between a reward gotten by a bit of pain or a painless nothing. What will she choose?

What do you choose? He's been there and knows it's worth it. He tells us to trust him, to choose the reward and not the fear. Choose wisely; there is no Plan B.

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. ~Romans 8:18

You May Also Like

9 comments

  1. Dawn,

    My daughter Grace turns 12 on Saturday, and she can barely stand having to wait one day longer for pierced ears. We've given the same boundaries, "Want pierced ears? Then you have to wait until you're 13th birthday."

    LOVED this sentence of yours:

    ...she wasn't expecting the chemical reaction that takes place when anticipation and fear finally combine: hesitation.

    ReplyDelete
  2. How hard it is sometimes to chose the reward and not the fear. And often the fear is the catalyst that moves us into sweet, sweet communion.

    ReplyDelete
  3. "She doesn't believe me because her fear of pain speaks louder than I, and it's hard to see past pain." You've described perfectly the same thing with Cam. Maybe they should go together, watch as each bears the pain? C's actually ok with never having it done - cheap enough.

    C's big 13th bday present was facebook - we had to take the day of school to let her sign-up. :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Happy 13th to Noelle! I hope she chooses to face those fears ... We will need pic's of the ear's when she does!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Ah, the pain is minimal to you but how does she handle pain? It could be huge to her... I had my ears pierced when I was 13, a huge deal then and now it doesn't matter much at all. I do remember it killed my Daddy, he was so unhappy at my decision.
    Grow them up strong and in Him and you'll have done your job, Dawn.

    ReplyDelete
  6. we made our three girls wait until they turned 13, too. two
    of them opted 'out', but the baby now has gages. shudder.
    she's 19. what can you do?

    i just don't look at them.

    if your daughter decides not to get hers pierced, you will
    have two perfect ears to look at!

    love,
    lea

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi,

    Hmm , you reminded of my sisters when they were very young their temptation to have those ear rings ..by the age of 11 they had them in their grasp.
    Here in India , nose too is pierced , some prefer not to its quit as per suits you ,kind off.

    So its her turn now to have them :)


    Take care
    keep smiling.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I like her menu choices! :thumbsup:

    Hope she enjoyed her birthday!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Been there and know it is worth it...each hill and valley, because through the journey I have meet Him face to face.
    Enjoy..they grow so fast

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.