Warning: You might want to spray Lysol on your computer or mobile device before reading this.
In the past two weeks, my house has seen the stomach flu, croup, an ear infection, and, as of yesterday, pneumonia. Have you ever read the number 104 on your child’s thermometer? Not fun. After three hours, three blood draws and two antibiotic shots in urgent care over the weekend, my six-year-old is home recovering with a posse of stuffed animals and the PBS Kids app on my iPad.
Sure, I had other stuff on my agenda. But today I’m propped on pillows sitting right here beside my daughter, grateful that she wants me—to place a cool washcloth on her forehead and count her paling freckles. . . to refill her pink water cup and sing praise songs in her ear. . . to reassure with gentle smiles and strokes and a reading from Little Women. Chapter two tomorrow, my love, but now it’s time for rest.
I hate seeing my kids suffer. But it helps to know they suffer a little less when I’m in the room. Crazy, isn’t it? Somehow I’m the antidote, the lady who can make it all tolerable—even when the nurses poke and the ache won’t go away. I can comfort them like no one else, simply because they call me Mom.
Sometimes I wish I could be six years old again, to have someone watching over me with loving hands and answers to all my cries. Someone I could depend on, with child-like trust, to make it all okay simply by being there.
Oh. That’s right. I do.
God.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God,” (2 Corinthians 1:3–4).
What kids don’t know is that their utter confidence in Mom is misplaced. On her own, Mom is faulty and scared. She knows a thing or two about coughs and ibuprofen, sure, but bacterial infections freak her out, too. She loves her kids so much, her own chest hurts. So she seeks the One who loves them more. And he is the source of all comfort that trickles down from Mom to child until the germs are gone and the glory is His.
So when you’re worried, pray. When you’re tired, pray. When temps shoot up and tension clamps down and wisdom seems far, far away—pray. God takes a seat on the pillows beside you. He smiles and reassures and says:
You’re a good mom. Leave the rest to me.
Have a blessed week, friends. Keep leaning on God—and say a little prayer for us? The Kopitzkes are tired of Tylenol and hope to recover soon.
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If this post encouraged you, please share it. You might also like When Sick Kids Cramp My Social Life, I Love You Lots and Cows, and What’s Better Than a Bed Full of Teddy Bears?
Linking up with: The Better Mom, Playdates With God, Titus 2sdays, Wedded Wednesday, Grace at Home, Thriving Thursdays and Things I Can’t Say.
Oh, Becky – poor little ones. 🙁 Hope it ends soon!
We’re on the mend, Jeanne!
I completely understand. My girls have been sick and it is so hard on me to not be able to do more than just be there for them. Will pray you recover soon.
Megan
Thank you, Megan! Just being for them is doing far more than we probably imagine.
No need for Lysol for me, we are in a similar boat. I was called today to pick up my oldest from school since she was throwing up. I’m trying to cheer myself up by saying at least we’re sick now and not at Thanksgiving which is our norm. Hope everyone feels better soon!
Oh, the throwing up is NOT FUN! I like your positive spin on it, though. I’m hoping the same thing – sick now means we’re not sick for Thanksgiving… or Christmas? Can we dare to hope? 🙂
Oh, Becky! I’m so sorry the Kopitzke’s are tired and sick! 🙁 But it’s so true that mom’s are super important when their children are small (and super annoying when their children are bigger! ha!). Actually, I think we’re still really important to our kids when they’re teens, they just can’t admit it to us or themselves. 🙂
As usual coming by your place is a delight to visit! I love this, “She loves her kids so much, her own chest hurts. So she seeks the One who loves them more.” So beautiful and true!
Thanks for the been-there reminder once again, Beth, to enjoy the flip side of these young, catch-every-germ years. Better to be super important than super annoying! 🙂 Every stage has its challenges and blessings, doesn’t it? Hugs to you, my friend!
When you’re tired, pray. I loved this. I needed a reminder to do so when times get me down. Thank you for a bright post!
Thank you for reading, Ashley! Keep on praying!
Absolutely loved the image of God being on the pillows next to us as we pray. Being a mom is the best job I have ever had and still have! Here’s hoping your little ones get better soon and your house becomes germ-free!
Blessings, Mary!
Thanks so much, Mary! Our household is much improved since the weekend, praise God. I think you’re right, being a mom is the best job, in sickness and in health. Blessings!
When my kids are sick I refuse to do anything. I cuddle them, I rub their heads, I hold them until they sleep.
To this day I want my mom when I’m sick because I’m certain she must have done the same thing.
That makes me smile. I admit I snuck away to do some dishes… but we had lots of extra quiet time together, which I enjoyed in spite of not wanting my girls to be sick in the first place.
Oh, those times were so rocky, but they do pass. Hope everyone is well in your house soon.
I laughed when I read this: “Oh. That’s right. I do.”
Zing. Convicted. It is something I forget too often, as I struggle to solve everything myself, just like I did as a toddler. Doesn’t work any better now than it did when I was two.
Thanks for the reminder!
Ha ha, Kim – so true! I just can’t seem to solve everything myself, either. Good thing I eventually come around to remembering that I don’t have to. 🙂
Thank you for this reminder, and I hope your household gets some relief soon!!
We’re feeling better as the week goes on! Thanks for reading!
Encouragement just when I needed it. Thank you! Sickness has been at our home too. While I hate it when my kiddo is sick, I love the snuggles that come with it.
You are not alone, Sandy. I hope your household is on the mend soon. Meanwhile, let’s both enjoy the snuggles. Thank you for reading!
104+ is super scary.
We had a stomach virus in our house last week. My kids do trust that I’ll make it all better- it’s scary when I can’t!