In Sickness and In Health

" Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." -Romans 5:3-5

In midst of a mini little ice age of a winter, so cold in the Southern USA, more than thirty minutes outside rubs your face raw and dries your lips into prunes, staying inside cooped up becomes a lifestyle.  Our little family of five nestled further into isolation as the flu sickness blew through our members like a crisp winter wind. The third week of January spun in a whirlwind of fevers, fussiness, and failures to patiently deal with the challenges. As my nose clogged to the point of struggling to inhale, a question plagued my mind, "What is the point of sickness?" And in true Job fashion, my only conclusion is suffering happens,  accept and survive.  So three lesson learned in this year's season of winter , the not fun time of too cold with no snow and lots of sneezing:

1. Seek SPACE: sickness forces a time to slow down and stop. For us, stopping including not going to school, activities or even out of the house. The schedule that allocates time to socialize- stops immediately. When I reached out and canceled plans I hoped to attend the upcoming weekend, I embraced the need for space. Healing takes time and patience (both characteristics my personality lacks), thus by not trying to rush and move on to greener pastures, I surrendered any sense of control over the sickness throwing my kids into fits of fever and fussiness.

2. SLOW down and SNUGGLE: The dishes, laundry and meals still beckon my attention as my little ones demanded to be held. So I completed small tasks, holding (especially the baby) the majority of the day. I let go of the active schedule that normally includes more outside time and outside the home adventures; instead embracing a more passive one with more screen time and at home experiences.

  3. SEE SMALL SIMPLICITIES: As my little started to slowly mend, I appreciated the return of energy- the laughing, the dancing and the tackling. The constant complaint for more food transformed into a syphomy singing of health. The disruptive desire to jump on the couch felt like a feat worthy of victory fist bump. The playful and independent natures of our three littles five and under, I often take for granted until sickness transform them into whiny fussy gremlins glued to my arms.  So sickness opened my eyes to the simple small blessings of a healthy child wanting to eat and play.

  Thus out of the dark cold winter season full of sickness, the hope of thawing into a healthy vibrant spring awakened through me seeking space  to stop and heal,  slow down and snuggle as we nestled at home, and seeing the small simple blessings as their energy and appetites returned.

So may your suffering in sickness produce surrender and singing in your soul!