Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people.
1 Chronicles 16:8
When children get sick, my week seems longer. Only 3 of our 7 children fell victim to the latest bug to creep through the house, and while you’d think I ought to be an old pro at it all by now, and maybe I am, it still wears me down and makes my week seem longer. Well, maybe it just makes my week harder, because while it seems longer, it also seems to fly right by- over and done with before I ever get around to what it was I intended to do before the sickness settled in and made itself comfortable, while making the rest of us so very uncomfortable.
So much more laundry, so much less sleep…
Just when we were pretty sure it was only going to be the 3 of them, my husband and I were struck down, on the same day- Saturday. There went the weekend. Sigh.
Deep breath, time to pick myself up, dust myself off, put one foot in front of the other and jump back in right where we are. It’s how we roll, we ordinary moms, right? We get back in the game. We have to. I have to.
And so I do-
351. it was only 3
352. it passed quickly
353. knowing that even if the other 4 get sick “this too, shall pass”
354. capable older children who help so much when mom and dad are down for the count (I cannot imagine a weekend like we just had without our olders, we would’ve needed to call in reinforcements)
355. sunshine calling us outside as our heads began to feel a bit better
356. the effects of vitamin D and fresh air on a weakened body
357. being almost caught up on laundry
358. knowing we can finish catching up today or tomorrow
359. knowing there will always be more days to wash clothes if it takes longer than today or tomorrow…
360. having more than enough to wear (being a couple days behind in laundry isn’t the end of the world around here, if anything it spotlights an area of abundance)
With another deep breath, several big lists, and a whole lotta “we’ll see what we can get to”, I head into another week thankful for more time to try again, more time to take back my joy from the joy-stealers of sickness and tiredness, more time to make more memories, more time to love my family, and most importantly, more time to grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord, more time to learn of him, more time to love Him, more time to be loved by Him.
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{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
I had this feeling something might not be right, so I've been praying for you guys! I'm glad your sickness was short lived.
"Deep breath, time to pick myself up, dust myself off, put one foot in front of the other and jump back in right where we are. It’s how we roll, we ordinary moms, right? We get back in the game. We have to. I have to."
Exactly! If we don't, no one else will. Well, no one we'd want to! I never thought I'd need to practice being grateful for my daughter and all she does, but I do. Not only that, I need to tell her and 'brag' on her to others including her dads.
Glad you're back up on the proverbial horse. Keep on keepin' on my dear friend!!
~traci
As always, thank you for your prayers- they are ALWAYS appreciated!
I may be tired (and a wee bit crabby), but there is always so much to be thankful for, and I always get so much from this exercise of stopping to think about it, stopping to really thank Him. It does my heart good.
I like how you see abundance in your laundry piles. What a great perspective. I HATE being sick. It makes me go crazy and clean clean clean when I'm better, because I have to stare at the mess while I'm lying there. I hope everyone feels better soon.
While I wouldn't say that I'm going crazy cleaning, cleaning, cleaning, I am definitely having to make up for some lost time!
Ali,
I, too, am especially thankful for older children who carry a bit more of the load so I don't completely lose my sanity during the unexpected. So glad you and your family are feeling better.
I understand the "interruption" to everything we were planning to do, etc. before everyone got sick.
Thanks for your inspiring perspective, Alison! You are lucky to have your children, but they are also awfully lucky to have you!
Hope everyone is feeling well once again.
I'm going to need to remember this post next time sickness sweeps through our household. Glad you are all on the mend!
I am so sorry you guys were sick, but glad that you guys are feeling better. It seems that since there are more of us, when we get sick it lingers because it takes a while to get through everyone. I like your perspective, though. __Blessings…Karen
So sorry to hear that you and some of your family was sick. So nice to have older ones who can help with the day to day.
Hope everyone stays healthy and you can enjoy each day.
Ruth