How to Make a Mom’s Sick Day Easier

Posted on August 1, 2019

With a child on my heels, the flu bug took over as my daughter stood watching… and giving the play-by-play.

“Oh, Mommy,” she gasped. “What is happening to you?”

Head hanging, sweat dripping, and tears surfacing… I looked at her and told her it would be okay… even though it was clear to the both of us I was not.

When mom goes down, the ship starts taking on water. The quicker she heals, the faster it rights itself. The best way to make a mom’s sick day is to shorten its duration, and for that… rest is key.

Pray for Her Healing

Instead of drilling mom with “how-too” questions, give her the space she needs to breathe. We are creatures of habit, and when the routine things mom does suddenly dissipate, we feel like fish out of water.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6)

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Category: Crosswalk.com Contributing Writer, Prayer Tagged: mom is sick, sick days, taking care of mom

The Stay-Home Day (#jammed daily devo, day 97)

Posted on April 7, 2018

April #jammed: Grace Studies.

Day 97: Stay sometimes.

“ I have seen the kinds of tasks God has given each of us to do to keep one busy, and I know God has made everything beautiful for its time. God has also placed in our minds a sense of eternity; we look back on the past and ponder over the future, yet we cannot understand the doings of God.” Ecclesiastes 3:10-11

“Mom,” my older daughter pleaded, nose dripping down her face, “please don’t make me go to school like this.”

Everyday used to be a stay-home day. Those were my favorite days. Days that I fought for, prayed for, and knew were called and meaningful days. Days spent gazing at my sweet little girl, praying for her to wake up from her nap. Days spent praying for my second little girl to please take a nap. Mid-morning trips to the park and claims to our favorite swings. Afternoons spent skipping rocks and rescuing bugs. Nights full of baby-lotion smelling cuddles and stories. Early morning bottles to the tune of our favorite pre-school cartoons. Daily Sesame Street sing-a-long dance parties …wagon rides …tricycle rides …leaf pile jumping, cross country coaching, giggles and Target runs, tiny voices and little hands.

Today’s verse reminds us that there is a time and a season for everything in life. We will all undoubtably have some seasons that we cherish more than others, and should never look around to others to determine who’s seasons are more valuable. For me, it’s staying at home with my daughters. Some moms juggle it all because they have to …others are called to. Each person’s time and season is unique. When we resist the urge to categorize each other we are able to look around and embrace God’s surrounding diversity.

Stay-at-home moms, what we do and what we’ve done is Kingdom work. And it’s fleeting. Being at home with my daughters was a fairy tale dream come true for me, and letting go of them as they go to school all day and dance class at night is hard for me. I miss them, and it makes the days when I get to rescue them from their drippy noses and upset stomachs all the more valuable.

Thank God I get to do that. Thank You, God, that I get to be there. It’s amazing to me. I’ve made a lot of really awful mistakes and taken acutely wrong turns in my life, yet over and over …Jesus grabs my hand, and God blesses me. He blesses me! For my mess. That’s love.

He’s just not in the business of making things the same. Look at the seasons! It’s all good …because He is good.

Father, Praise You for putting a sense of eternity in us. Thank You, that we may look back on our favorite seasons and forward to our favorite times, but know that the earth spins on Your axis. Forgive us for overlooking Your omnipotence. Bless us to live each day to the fullest purpose that You have blessed it with. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.