Funny thing about being sick – it offers you a new perspective on what it means to feel good.
How often have I looked at the laundry piles (dirty or clean) and felt overwhelmed, just wishing I could ignore them and instead go lay down, cozy up, and read a good book – or maybe even take a little nap? How many times have I stared at the menu plan, thinking that the meals sounded good, but just longing for the food to somehow magically prepare itself so I wouldn’t have to do it? How often have I just wished for a little break from the noise and needs of the kids? Don’t the boys see their daddy standing right there, available to answer their questions? Why is it that the first word out of their mouths is usually, “MOM!” when someone has a bloody finger or when there is another brotherly quarrel?
I just wish, sometimes. I just wish I could have a break from all the responsibilities, duties, thinking, planning, solving, and doing.
Be careful what you wish for.
Not that taking breaks is a bad thing. Taking time to be refreshed and renewed is a wise thing indeed.
But give me just a few days in bed, sick and unable to care for my family – and I am quickly able to realize the significance of my role, and more importantly, my desire to fulfill it. I loved how Matt stepped right up to do everything that needed to be done, both his jobs and mine. He gave our kids the instructions of “don’t bother Mom”, and sweet boys that they are, they obeyed. I didn’t have to answer their questions, help solve their arguments, read to them, or bandage their wounds. I was not in charge of the meals, I did not wash any dishes. Matt and all the boys worked together to clean the kitchen. The laundry was done by our eleven year old. Our oldest answered the phone and helped his younger brother with math questions.
All while I laid there and did nothing. I read a book, I watched some movies, and I slept. I was served breakfast in bed, and even had a bath drawn for me. Ah, it was a life of luxury, let me tell you. Except for the part with the fever and splitting headache.
It didn’t take me long to recognize how much I truly love taking care of my family. (Sounds cheesy? Yeah, well. Lying abed in a mountain of dirty kleenexes makes me reflective and sentimental. I can’t help it.)
Feeling healthy enough to fold laundry, wash some dishes, and cook a meal is truly a great blessing – not something that should be taken for granted.
Kind of makes you look at that muddy floor with a new appreciation, doesn’t it? ;)
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Soo needed this, so easy to take it all for granted and become self focused….glad that you are feeling better because I want to see the final letters of the alphabet in your marriage series…….
I’m SO SORRY to hear you’ve been sick. And I am right there with you. Praising the Lord that I was able to leave my FT job outside the home back in October and I have been loving EVERY MINUTE of caring for my family. Thank you for being such an inspiring and encouraging source for women who are seeking to be Titus 2 women. May the Lord continue to bless you and I hope you are feeling much better! In Him, Kelly
Yes, yes, yes, yes! I just learned this valuable lesson. I blew my knee out this summer. Spent 7 weeks on crutches, am still doing therapy on it. And I can tell you, I feel blessed every day I can stand and wash dishes. I praise God every day I walk our house filled with stairs. Dare I say it? It was just what I needed. I am so blessed!
I have, unfortunately, been sick and hospitalized 4 times in the last 3 years, all lasting a week to ten days, so I know exactly how it feels to be unable to care for my family. While a break is nice, and I still sometimes wish for just a day without any responsibilites from time to time, I KNOW that I NEED to care for my family. I’m happiest when I am/can. I also love knowing that I alone can provide special care and comfort.
Health and strength of body to care for our families? Priceless! A gift from above and certainly worthy of our gratitude. So glad you’re feeling better and that your family cared for you and your home while you were under the weather. :) ~Lisa
You are right, I have had the same experience before!
I am sharing about big changes in our lives, how the Lord is opening doors! Also I shared part 3 of my series “Lord, Teach us to Pray”. Thank you for hosting!
Being sick definitely gives me that perspective!
Perspective is a funny thing! Being able to learn our lessons is the key to being a faithful servant of the LORD. I love that you learn Laura and share with others the lessons, thank you.
Amen! I have been sick and finally feeling better today and feel the same way! I just want to clean the house and play with my little guys!
Hope you’re feeling better, Laura! What a sweet husband and boys you have!
Great post! So very true!
I totally agree. Sometimes it is good to rest and take a break from all the needs of family life, but after being sick a few days, I have a new appreciation for the things I do each day. Glad you’re feeling better.
We are in this right now. I am on bedrest, hooked up to an IV for the first 2 months straight of a pregnancy. My husband is fantastic with taking over, even with the business he runs. It’s always a very special decision when we decide to add to our family, because we know what kind of effort it will require of everyone. I am constantly amazed that even knowing what he will need to take on, my husband keeps saying yes! But it is very hard as the mother and wife to have to lie in bed all day and not be able to help out and participate in all the family goings-on.
Laura: What you said is just so true! Sometimes I have the same thinking about routine and the things that my family depend on me. But we have to be thankful for having the skills and strenght to do them while we fulfill our duty with our family and ultimately with God.
It’s so good to read that you are feeling better! Keep writing good stuff for us!
Mayra
Im glad to read this today. I needed some reasurance and clairity today. As I have an ongoing pain condition (degenertative disc disese,I have 6 ruptured disentgrating disc in my spine from my neck to my tail bone and 2 pinched nerves) that some times leaves me immobile and unable to do the smallest task aside from looking at the celing and begging God to heal me. On days I actually can bend over and pick up my toddler, change a diaper, kneed bread dough or even just put my own socks on I am greatful. So many people take the smallest things like movement for granted. If you can ride in a car with out pain, laod a dish washer or toss your baby in the air you are blessed! All I asked for my Birthday (in August) was a day that I could actually clean my house and take care of my family. Thank God for my injury however because it humbled me and soberd me up (as I was on a dead end road) and lead me back into the arms of our savior. With out difficulty good days wouldnt mean so much! Today I can walk and I can fold clothes and I am thankful. Im also thankful to have your blog to read it inspires me to do Gods work in my family and remeber the simple things <3
I feel SO far behind with just about everything right now. Thanks for the reminder that I can at least make sure everyone has food to eat, clean clothes to wear, and slowly tackle the multitude of other things. It always amazes me how much I wish for time by myself, and then I feel lonely if I do get to run errands by myself.
Thank you for sharing.
Being sick does make me feel grateful for the many healthy days, esp when my kids are sick. I often am reminded of how blessed my hubby and I are to have strong and most-of-the-time healthy children. We don’t live in the hospital or have to deal with medicines on a daily basis like so many kids.
Thank You!
Nothing like being in bed for a while to give you a whole new perspective. Thanks for sharing.
Wow. I’m down and out with a badly sprained wrist. Thankfully I only have to take care of hubby and myself, but the last two days have brought to the front how thankful I should be all the time for four functioning limbs…. even if said limbs are cooking and cleaning. Great post.
I just happened upon your blog today and am loving it. Thank you for this wondeful post. I am a stay at home mom and have been feeling a little down lately. Just last night, I asked God to help me be more grateful and see more clearly all the blessings in my life. This post was an answer to a prayer. Thank you!
I am glad you are feeling better and that you have a loving and capable family to help lighten the load when you needed it.
A couple years ago I was really fed up with doing laundry. This wasn’t my usual dread of the chore; I was really wanting to never have to see my washing machine again. Well, like you I learned to be careful what I wished for. My washer broke the next day. For two weeks I hauled our dirty laundry to the local laundromat, all the while telling God I will be grateful for the day when we had our washer repaired.
Now, whenever I catch myself griping about laundry, I start to praise God for the wonderful people in my family, for my health, for my washer/dryer (which is much improved over what my Grandma used to use when she was my age), and for the ability to be home and take care of my family. God is good!
I love the lotions, I hope I win.
Thank You.