Few things irk me like illness.
Few things make me twitch and grimace like sickness does.
A cold, cancer, or an ailment of any veracity or variety – I deem them all vile and odious.
It’s strong language, I know. I picked it on purpose.
If you’ve been around me personally at all, you may be smirking a bit. It has become somewhat of a thing between friends and I…. them telling me to sit the sanitizer down and walk.away.Kate.
In seriousness, my aversion to all things sick has actually improved some in recent months. I chalk this up to motherhood wearing me down in this area, and the prayers of those loved ones who see that I should really just simmer down some. That’s why when my youngest spiked a fever last Thursday, I didn’t lose my mind completely. This is a victory.
Bless his heart, he’s been battling an upper respiratory thing since then, which means I have had a four year old attached to my person for the last few days. He just wants Mama, and this melts my germophobia a little.
It’s true that motherhood will wear us down and whittle us into a waif if we let it… but it can also wear us down to help us win. We kind of get to decide which one triumphs.
Because parenting….. is a purging.
It’s a sanctification process if I’ve ever seen one. It exposes our hidden flaws and deficiencies. It calls out the things in our hearts that could use some tending. It points us to the real condition of ourselves, humbles us into admission, and has the potential to really fine-tune our souls.
In their book Good and Angry, Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller say, “There’s nothing like family to teach us how much growing we must do ourselves.”
Ah yes. And all the Mama’s said amen.
Allowing our parenting to point out what needs purged or mended – is smart, effects our families, and positively impacts the Kingdom.
But please know….all this pointing, and purging, and bringing things up to the surface – it’s positive. It’s not a loathsome thing. It can be very difficult, but it’s extremely valuable. It eventually leads to freedom….a freedom you might not have had any other way.
Buoy us up in the process, Lord.
I’m waiting a bit anxious this morning to see how he arises. I’ve been in fervent prayer that his sweet young body will feel of a normal temp when I give him his early morning squeeze here soon. And not just for my own sanity or ease, either…. but for his. This is an improvement.
Try getting on your knees, even if just figuratively, at some point during the day today – scribble down those issues coming to mind that may need some pruning and pinching, and then lay those things out in petition and prayer to the God who can take them all and turn them into something pure, useful, and amazing. Also, while you’re there… listen. Sometimes He has something to say right back to you… to your gut, your heart, your own seeking mind.
Before I hit publish on this post, I’ll be doing the same thing.
If you want me and the others who pass by here today, to pray for you as well – just tuck a comment into this post and we will send up petitions on your behalf.
I hope this is the beginning of a beautiful week for you, friends.
May you have a blessed Monday.
I so needed this, this morning. We have really been struggling with EmmyKate lately. She wants to be the center of attention and be in the middle of everything and it is just wearing this Mama down. She is even to the point that she thinks if Scott and I are in a room together, she needs to be right there too. I finally realized last week God telling me that I am not going to fix this problem and I need to let Him fix it. But it still just leaves me exhausted. Thanks for this encouragement that I need to just pointing to Him and He is going to take away from me what needs purging from myself in order to help her.
Thanks so much for stopping by and reading today, Jennifer. I’m so glad you did. I will pray right now for you and EmmyKate… that God gives you keen wisdom, patience, and strength….and that He whispers to her that she is His – no matter who pays her extra attention or not. Yes, that her identity is found in being a daughter of God’s. Grateful for you. I hope you have a great Monday, and that you start seeing positive changes so soon! – Kate 🙂
Good Morning Katie, My words today coincide with yours on the subject……..however, I am now able to have a peace and calmness about illness. I struggled with the same “fear of sickness” for many years. Over the years I have learned to simply “wait” to feel the comfort given to me by the Holy Spirit…….it was a long process, but our God is soooooo patient. I am so thankful for this Spirit that dwells within me and is there to settle my anxious thoughts………if only I ask Him to. Love to my “Loves”,
MawMaw Jan
Sickness is my main struggle as a mom! I’m the one who constantly has the sanitizer out! No public potties, we use the one in the back of the car that I haul around! Lol! Teaching pre-k is a battle with my mind! I wash my hands raw, and use a can of Lysol a day in the classroom! I have recently tried to let go a little (depending on the situation). People always say you’re washing away the good germs! They are right! I have to give this compulsion to God, and TRUST, my kids will be healthy and well. I cannot control it. They still get sick! It’s part of life. We don’t like it, but with God we get through it. It’s a God thing. Just like anything else, it’s he who can conquer all. So, I pray. I pray for strength not to worry. I pray for peace when they are sick. They always rebound. That’s bc God is there. So, Katie, thank you for this post. Thank you for letting me know I’m not alone and there are other moms who go through this with me! Thank you for reminding me that God is in control, not me! Love you friend! Have a great week!
I remember us talking, MawMaw – about how you dealt with similar feelings on this! I’m so grateful for you! I hope you have a great week! It’s sunny and beautiful here…hoping to get out and enjoy it! Love ya! – Kate 😉
Oh Brooke! We should commit to praying for each other on this! So wild that we are both this way!…makes me wonder if something we experienced as kids encouraged it. I know that is somewhat true for me. While I’m so sorry to hear you deal with this, I’m glad to know that I am not the only one. Sometimes I feel like a freak! But God….with Him, I truly think that healing and freedom can come. I’m already experiencing some of that. I will certainly pray for you, friend. I’m so grateful for your transparency and honesty. And I sure do love ya!
Kate, I love this phrase: “There’s nothing like family to teach us how much growing we must do ourselves.” Not just Mama’s can say amen to that — but spouses, etc. When I was married I used to say that being married was like holding a mirror up to me — so much of “me” was reflected right back to me. And parts of me that I had not seen before. While I rarely liked those reflections God was able to use them to do a lot of work in my life. Amen to that!!
I am grateful for you Judy!! You teach and inspire me! Sending big hugs your way! – With love, Kate 🙂