.png)
.png)
This is not how I wanted to spend my week
So, my entire household got sick this week, and although I had plans, those plans quickly became annoyances, reminders of 'the things I couldn't and most likely wouldn't get done.'
This, I feel, is a big part of what many women think motherhood is. We see the sickness, the time spent waiting and cleaning up, as burdensome and drudgery, holding us back from the 'more important tasks.' However, in reality, they're opportunities to slow down, serve more, and be more loving.
When Sickness Enters the Home We Must Slow Down
It's easy to get overwhelmed and be in a state of anxiety when looking at the endless to-do list that makes a house a home, but when sickness enters the home, time seems to stand still, and all those tasks and to-dos become insignificant compared to the wellbeing of our children; and so everything slows down because our focus narrows to care solely for those that are sick, to tend to their every need and do the bare minimum everywhere else. Sometimes, let's face it, the house is a wreck after a bout of sickness sweeps through because, at some point, you got it too, and there's only so much you can do with a splitting headache, runny nose, and dry cough.
Romans 5:3-4 says,
"And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope:"
Serve More
By slowing down and setting aside other tasks, we take on the new role of the nurse, and we become an expert at all things home remedies, natural herbs, essential oils, and chicken noodle soup. We master the bedside manner and how to explain sickness to young people who might think they're dying when they simply feel the aches and pains of a full-blown flu. We do all this while coming down with the sickness ourselves. We put them first, and we only find our bodies needing rest once they seem to be on the mend.
More Loving
Through service and slowing down, we have a choice: we can do so in love and allow the experience to be an opportunity to grow and learn new skills, or we can be bitter and annoyed by the disruption. As a Christian, I am reminded of Jesus washing his disciple's feet. He did not do so begrudgingly. He did it out of loving service to the people he cared for. He then showed us the ultimate act of service and love when he took on our punishment and sacrificed himself so that we could rise with him. In this, he showed us that even the most seemingly hopeless and awful scenarios can be worked for good and can be an example of love for others.
His Plans are Better Than Ours
We don't know his plans for us, and what happens today or tomorrow may not have been part of our plan, but we can be sure that God will work all for good. Even though we may not see it, this moment of time has meaning. Isaiah 55:9 says,
"For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Our children may look back and remember us singing to them, stroking their heads, or serving them soup. They may not forget that we were there with them while they felt awful, serving them in love. Our actions can become fond memories and then practices that our children perform onto their children.
The best thing we can do is give ourselves grace and lean on Him for strength.