Those Dreaded Words
We avoid them like the plague.
They are spoken in hushed tones, behind closed doors so as not to bring any unwanted attention our way.
When we hear them uttered from others, we back away slowly, turn around...and then RUN!!!
Those dreaded words...The Stomach Bug! You know you are shuttering too at the thought of it!
Stomach Flu, stomach virus, if you want to get technical the scientific name is gastroenteritis; whatever you call it... as my son puts it, " Is no fun!!!"
One of the many dreadful things about it is that it is very contagious and quickly passes from one child to the next and if you have a big family like mine that can take about a week or more. But just as we think it has run its course and no one else is going to get it...it strikes again without warning!
One minute everyone is feeling fine and all is well with the world and the next minute you are searching for the nearest bathroom, holding your stomach; somehow trying to ward off the wrenching pain.
Yes, it is very devious!
We have even stayed away from others when we know its going around but that makes no difference to this indifferent bug it still finds us!!!
At least once a year we come in contact with those nasty bugs. Don't worry, they have come and gone in our house, hopefully
As soon as the fluid starts to projectile from my children and myself, (my husband somehow stays untainted by it, somebody has to take care of us) I start to blame someone or something... and run to get a bowl, towels and the bleach!!!
We should not have gone there! Why did we do that?! I didn't wipe down the bar on the cart at the grocery store! I opened that door with my hands! Why did I let them play on the playground!!??
Though my reasoning's are valid and I desperately despise this form of sickness, the true culprit is not a place or person...but sin.
Yes, sin! We live in a sinful, fallen world.
The newest born babe to the aged grey are not exempt from the toll it takes on their lives.
Along with the joy and pleasure we experience here; this world we live in is wrought with very real sickness and sin. Many of its forms far worse then this little stomach bug I speak of.
Some of you, like myself have felt the very heavy blow of fatal sickness on your family and friends.
I don't believe there is anyone who hasn't experienced some form of sickness and pain in their own or a loved ones life.
Sickness doesn't play favorites.
There isn't a day that goes by that I don't pray that God protects my family from sickness and harm.
Though I do believe God can allow sickness in our lives as a direct result of our own personal sin,(which is why I am careful to search my heart when sickness strikes and ask God to show me any secret sin and ask for forgiveness) he also can allow it in our lives as we strive to live blameless before him, often times to draw us closer to him.
The truth is... I don't know why God allows hard things to happen in our lives.
But I do know he is Sovereign...we can trust Him... and he loves us!!!
Whatever kind of sickness you are facing in your lives remember what the true culprit is and remember that your pain and suffering no matter how minute or strong doesn't go unnoticed by our creator.
Its amazing how even though most of us know what kind of world we live in, we continue to be shocked that sickness dares darken our doors, whether through a pesky bug, germ or mysterious culprit.
Many times I have thought of myself and my family as invincible...that might happen to other people but it wont happen to us.
Words seem so feeble in light of the suffering that so many of us have gone through and are going through but I know that God is greater then our fears, our circumstances and our seasons of doubt, grief and pain.
I want to be clear that I am definitely not saying that we shouldn't use lots of prayer, wisdom, precaution and common sense in not spreading and staying clear of unwanted germs...because we should! But keep in mind that this world we live in is imperfect!
The hope we have though is that Jesus is making all things new!!!...perfect!!! We wait for that day in expectation!!
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
If you were to see me around town you would still find me brandishing my bag of wet wipes as I approach a grocery cart,using my backside or elbows to push open a door, staying clear as much as possible of public restrooms and water fountains.
And if you come to my house you will find me mixing up some herbal concoction, reeking of garlic with honey and lemon mixed in. Loading up on Vitamin C and Echinacea tea, hoping to discourage and ward off any unwanted ailments. But when things get serious I search for the motrin and am not hesitant to run to the Dr.
I am still slowly learning that no matter what lengths I go to avoid those nasty bugs that come in the form of colds, coughs, green goo, and other unmentionable bodily fluids and functions; I have somewhat come to terms with the fact that we will inevitably be visited by them more then we would like.
But when the tears are flowing, the boogers are running, the coughs never ceasing, and tummies are aching, its easy to forget that this world is not my home. I cry out to God and ask him to help me and my little brood get through the hard days and the long exhausting nights. He puts his gentle hand upon me, giving me strength where I have none and helps me remember to fix my eyes on what is unseen... on Jesus who is preparing my future, perfect home where sickness of any kind will never be spoken or heard of again!!!
I am so thankful that I can look to God's words when the words of this world are not what I want to hear or think about!!
"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:4
I am linked up over at A little R&R and 3 D Lessons for life
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