Grabbing bees and the nature of God

I'm amazed at what Chiara teaches me. This afternoon I was getting into my parents' van after a little trip to Shopko to get some dorm stuff for Shauna. As I was putting Chiara back into her car seat I saw that there was a bee in the van. Let me just tell you, I hate bees. I hate anything smaller than a hummingbird that flies. Especially if they sting. But as I stood there in full mommy mode my reaction to seeing the bee flying near my baby was to reach out and grab it so it couldn't hurt Chiara. My protection reflex was so much stronger than my self-preservation reflex that I have been thinking about it for the last ... eight hours or so.

This experience made me think of the Atonement. I know it sounds a little corny/bad testimony meeting-ish, but I was overwhelmed with gratitude for a God and a Savior who love me enough to protect me from the painful consequences of sin despite the tremendous personal cost to themselves. I know the parallel is seriously skewed, but I was deeply moved by my imaginings of how I would react if Chiara thanked me for what I did. I imagine God's reaction would be similar (in a much more perfect, holy way of course). Something like, "Oh, my daughter, of course I did it. I love you."

Please forgive the comparison. I just love how much Chiara teaches me about the nature of God. It changes me forever.