Daily Archives: May 1, 2008

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)

My last ten days have included:

• Isabel’s spring break: a nonstop carnival of neighborhood kids here, there and everywhere. (A frightening preview of summer vacation yet to come!)
• Two family birthdays and three celebrations.
• Zach contracted yet another ear infection: This is his 7th since birth, but his first “single” ever; all his other ear infections have been double.
• Rick got the flu.
• Our first full-blown allergy season with kids: We’ve all been struggling to breathe and poor Ellie’s eyes have been swollen shut three days running.
• And yesterday Isabel woke with the fever, sweats and chills her father had over the weekend.

I’ve decided God has a special health care plan for mothers. He keeps us healthy long enough to nurture and tend to all those under our care. I’m never sick while my kids are sick. The germs don’t attack me until after everyone else is well. Then, after a week or two of sleep deprivation, this body of mine is more than happy to stay in bed for a couple days. And everyone around me is grateful and happy to wait on me. It’s nice.

It’s never easy being sick. It’s even worse when you have things to do, be it going to work or caring for kids. But God’s grace is always sufficient. It’s enough. He offers the strength we lack to help us accomplish the plans He has for us. These may not always match our plans. I had a lot more on my to-do list than cuddling criers and wiping noses. But it’s always enough to fulfill HIS plans. And HIS plans detail exactly what we need to be doing.

Furthermore, we can rejoice in these moments. I’m weak! I’m sleep-deprived and frustrated and really wishing my kids would feel better. I’m tired of wrestling them to the ground every four to six hours to give them the medication they need. And I’m really sick of watching the same videos over and over again while they whine and cry spread their germs all over my bed. But these are the moments that remind me of my need for God. I am reminded how much patience and grace I lack. I am reminded of how much patience and grace He has and continually bestows on me. I’m weak and filled with faults, but it’s a wonderful thing. In my weakness He is exalted because without His strength and His grace, I would not last the day. If my kids did last the day, they would certainly need therapy to deal with the damage I had caused. So, praise God! Praise God I’m not alone and my kids don’t need therapy (yet) and we will all survive the day … thanks to HIS grace and HIS strength.