A Day of Rest

This week has not gone as planned...our holiday weekend got extended a day due to sick kids. I have been confined to the house for more days than are good for my mental health. I've not gotten nearly as much done as I had intended.

So, it was to be my day to tidy up and get a few of those five minute jobs completed. I absolutely needed to walk the dog. I fed the kids breakfast, and completed my run on my treadmill. And then, I knew what I had to do. *I* had to go to bed... just for an hour. It hit me hard. "MUST REST".

I lay down, I doubt I dozed, really. Near the end of the hour, my son asked for lunch. I got up and prepared soup for him and his sister... and returned to bed.

For me, a day of rest. It doesn't happen often, but when it does, there's no getting around it. After six hours in the bed, I feel much better...close to human. At this rate, I will be well by morning. There were days when I didn't listen, and pressed forward and was downright SICK.

I'm sure that this "day of rest" is a "gift" from my son and his flu virus. I am grateful that I am better able to listen to the command to rest. I am grateful for my "village", who rallied around me. I am blessed beyond my wildest imaginings...

Heal us, Lord...

A Day for Five Minute Jobs

I have been in need of a Day for Five Minute Jobs. You know, the little tasks that get set aside for when there's a minute or two to complete them. They seem to pile up for me - especially after weeks like I've just completed. When they do, life seems 'cluttered' and unsettled.

I've got a whole list... change a couple of light-bulbs, filing, bring boxes of stuff sorted for the church yard sale into the garage... just to name a few! (and then, there are the 15 minute jobs! Another list unto itself!)

I was hoping to get to them on our sick day on Sunday, but, instead, I chose to disinfect all the doorknobs and bleach-wash all the linens. It seemed like a prudent thing to do with the germs floating around here. I also chose to spend some time with my children - watching movies, playing the wii, snuggling... and coercing them into taking their Tamiflu!

Perhaps today will include a few of the five minute jobs. At least one or two... amid the snuggling and coercing...

The Silver Side of the Flu

My son woke up with a fever... I was pretty sure he had contracted a case of strep throat just like his sister. Their symptoms were the same - except he had boogers.... But, that's my boy: a booger-factory. He ALWAYS has boogers.

I found some coverage for the cookie booth I was running and brought him to the walk-in clinic. We were seen by the nurse practitioner, and a throat and nose swab later, we had the results: strep - negative....flu- positive.

Oh boy.... first case of flu we've had in 7 years (at least!) He feels lousy. His sister is feeling a little lousy... I'm just tired. We're all on Tamiflu.

As I canceled appointments here and there, and let my interpreter-friend know I would not be at church, there was this pull within me. The two days when I have not been able to attend church, I have felt it... both times, sick children. I feel it to a lesser degree when I am working a Sunday. There is this pull within me that feels like I am missing something.... something BIG. It's like a disconnect in slow motion, that I need to reconnect. I love it that I love my church family that much, and I find such peace and comfort there.

And then I found some gratitude for the whole situation. I got to spend an evening home with my children (plus two - who had previously been exposed!), watching Evan Almighty. I get to have a morning where I don't have to set the alarm. (There is great gratitude in that!)

I found myself praying for healing, and protection for those of us who are still well... may we stay well. I didn't always believe in prayers for healing.... (I'm a western trained clinician, remember!).... Today, I do... with every cell of my being, I believe in the power of prayer.

There is always a silver lining... there is always a gift in the pain.

Thank You for showing me - reminding me. Teach me....