Our New Year

This year hasn't started out the way we had hoped.  The first few days were fun, because we were visiting my in-laws still.  We enjoyed hanging out with them, playing games, cooking, eating, shopping, etc.  Then we came home.  We unpacked, got all of the laundry done, started doing a few things for school and BOOM!  Mike came down with a virus of some sort.  It could've been the flu, but we're not sure.  Then 3 days later, Mia came down with it.  And a few days after that Kylie came down with it, too.  So far I haven't gotten it, and I am praying that I won't!  Thankfully I think we are over the worst of it.  But the girls are still hacking and sniffling.  None of us have much energy.  Sleep has been interrupted, to say the least. 

But as I sit here typing this, I realize how the situation could be so much worse!  This is temporary.  And even if I do end up getting sick, it won't last forever.  Even though the experience of going through a season of sickness is not fun, I know that my God is in control.  I can't make my girls or my husband get better no matter how much I wish I could.  I can administer medications and fill cups with water countless times.  I can take temperatures and hand out cough drops, but the fact remains-- God is in control of this situation.  I'm not. 

Recently I prayed that I would be a servant.  After all, that's what Jesus came to be.  And if I want to become more like Jesus, then that means I should be a servant, too.  Well, lately I've had plenty of opportunities to be a servant--with having a sick family and all.  There are moments when I am tired.  And there are moments of being tired of being tired.  And there are moments of being sick of everyone else being sick.  Today I started to feel crabby about the situation.  Then I remembered to pray and ask the Lord once again to help me be a servant to my sick girls.  And He is faithful to give the grace I need for each moment of each day.

I must be honest when I say that there have been many moments when I have worried about the girls or my husband.  I worry and wonder if I am doing the best things for them.  I wonder if I should take them to the doctor or not.  I wonder if I will get sick.  Every sneeze, every little tickle in my throat, every time I feel hot or cold I wonder.  Then I remind myself that I can't control any of that.  But I can go to the One Who is in control.  I can remind myself of His presence right here right now.  I can go to Him and ask for wisdom in decision-making.  And my heart quiets.  He is God.  And He is good.  All the time.