I have generally been a pretty healthy person. I have also bragged about how rarely my kids are sick- of course, I like to attribute that to all my efforts at healthy living. But this year was quite a reality check. We were SO sick and it seemed like just when one thing ended a new sickness began. I am attributing that to the fact that I now have three kids in my home who are all equally likely to lick a shopping cart handle or a piece of playground equipment. What were the chances we were going to avoid illness unless we decided to hibernate for the winter? And after the third round of colds and fevers, don’t think I didn’t contemplate it.
So when my normally VERY active two year-old came down with something that suspiciously resembled the flu, I knew we were in for a rough time. My toddler is normally very independent and not the cuddliest of kids, but sickness sure changes things! I will say that it’s almost worth a return visit of dinner in your hair, doing two loads of midnight laundry, and being awake until 5 a.m. if at the end of it your baby boy falls asleep in the rocker with his head on your chest and his hand on your cheek. Almost.
As I was rocking my little Danny I was thinking about how crisis in my own life also has a tendency to bring me to a more accurate realization of my dependence on my Heavenly Father. I may think I have independence and can be in control of my life, but those really troubled times find me once again climbing up in that rocking chair and holding tight to my Father’s promises of comfort and peace. And as much as I hate seeing my child sick, I do love the closeness it brings. I imagine God is sad to see us walk through those tough times, but He knows how important it is for us to be reminded of our need for Him. I want to learn to live in a way that I don’t need quite so many reminders.
And I’m also awfully thankful that cold and flu season is coming to an end!