Saturday Confession: No Substitute Will Do

I dread this task more than anything.

Lab work for our youngest.

We’re a family full of hard draws and she’s a kid that needs consistent lab work.

But, Layla.

Layla is a tech that knows us and knows our daughter’s arms.

How it works. What works best.

And this week, Layla wasn’t there.

I told them all Layla’s tricks. They even called in a specialist. Brought in a special light.

And nothing worked.

Not like it did with Layla.

After many tries, a little girl being way braver than any kid should need to be and only a few vials full, I called it.

She was quickly becoming lifeless.

And it hit me.

A substitute will really be the death of us.

As news headlines introduce new groups proclaiming their saviors and celebrities giving themselves the same title and leaders letting us know they know the day the world ends—

I tell you the truth, these are substitutes.

And we need to turn and run far away from them.

Am I saying Layla is our savior?

No, silly. She’s a great tech and because of her and her knowledge of our daughter, I’m done toying around. If she isn’t there, no lab work. Not until we have Layla.

But what I am saying is watching the consequences of allowing a substitute to do what only the master can do is heart wrenching. There’s no happy ending there.

I have a friendship with the original, the real deal, the only one I want guiding me through the easy stuff and the valley days where blood draws take the life right out of you. The One that’s got my hand, my kid’s veins and our futures in view.

The Christ that dripped vials and vials for my bad thoughts, misdeeds and everything inbetween. He came once as a babe in a stinky barn and few understood. Next time He’ll be back as King of Kings and everyone will get the message.

But few will choose to receive it.

I tell you what, after opting for a substitute, I couldn’t run back to the original fast enough.

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