““Jesus cares about the small things.””
I could almost hear the voice speaking into my heart. That was weird for me because I can count on one hand the number of times when God has spoken to me that manner. The number ticked up by one while I read John 2:1-12 during my morning Bible study.
John 2 includes the account of Jesus turning water into wine during the wedding at Cana. My study Bible contains few cross-references or much commentary about this passage, which is problematic to many in the Christian community.
First there's Mary pestering her son to do something when the wine runs out. It's the kind of thing moms do, but Jesus' response shows that one of the parents of God's own Son was imperfect and very human.
Then there's Jesus turning water into wine. That's a miracle the anti-alcohol branches of the Christianity wishes John had edited out of his gospel.
Finally, there's Jesus going to a wedding. This indicates His approval of marriage. Some believers have a hard time reconciling that truth with Paul's letters, which suggest he's not a fan of the institution.
I was thinking about those problematic bits of John 2:1-12 when God spoke to my heart. "Jesus cares about the small things." That simple truth allowed me to comprehend the passage in a new light.
I understood that Jesus sees the humanity of mothers and grants them a special grace.
I understood that He meets our needs abundantly and with excellence.
Best of all, I understood how Jesus loves to enter into our celebrations.
This new perspective can be applied to the very human endeavor of parenting children with special needs and disabilities. For example, this passage speaks to parents who have been toilet training a child for months and even years.
It says that Jesus will give them grace upon grace while cleaning up diapers and messes.
It says that He will abundantly supply them with endurance beyond themselves until toilet training clicks for their child.
It says that when their child is finally trained, Jesus will be happy dancing right along with them.
Photo credit: deebrestin.com.
This passage speaks to parents who are grieving the milestones their children will never reach.
It says that Jesus understands grief and grants parents the grace of His tears mingling with theirs.
It says that He is abundantly present in grief and that the people He sends to grieve with parents will become eternal friends.
It says that they will sense His face shining upon them when they're able to smile again.
This passage says that Jesus cares about the small things.
He cares about mom moments, weddings, and wine.
He cares about diapers, pee, and poop.
He cares about g-tubes, trachs, and colostomy bags.
He cares about kids dressing themselves, tying their shoes, and getting on the school bus independently.
This passage says that Jesus cares for these small things and myriads.
Because a myriad of small things add up to big things.
They add up to a child's life.
They add up to a parent's life.
Biggest and best of all–they add up to eternal life for all who trust in Jesus, for all who know and love the God who cares about the small things.
Jolene Philo is the author of the Different Dream series for parents of kids with special needs. She speaks at parenting and special needs conferences around the country. She's also the creator and host of the Different Dream website. Sharing Love Abundantly With Special Needs Families: The 5 Love Languages® for Parents Raising Children with Disabilities, which she co-authored with Dr. Gary Chapman, was released in August of 2019 and is available at local bookstores, their bookstore website, and at Amazon.
