Of headaches and better days
I could pretend for you that all things are well; that I have my act together…that my home runs flawlessly and my floors are always clean. I could tell you that my children are always perfectly behaved and because we eat healthy food we are never sick and always feel great.
That would not be true, however. I have been struggling so much lately. Mostly with these debilitating headaches which bring about shakiness and weakness. (For the record, I have considered food allergies or triggers, but even when eating a hypoallergenic diet I simply can’t avoid them or shake them. ) I’m considering several things…such as chemical sensitivities, environmental allergies, weather patterns…but so far have come up with nothing that helps.
I desire so much to be a faithful servant of God – to praise Him no matter what – in the good days and in the bad. I want to share of His goodness, His mercies, His faithfulness to frail man and woman. I strive to be the best wife and mama and friend that I can, regardless of how I feel. But there are so many times that it seems I fail.
What to do? Get back up, try again, and continually throw myself on the mercy of the One who loves me and who lifts my head and gives me strength. Persevere. Never, never, never give up.
I’m sorry if my posts have seemed rather depressive of late. That is not my intention. I simply long to share this journey with you, to share the life of a real woman who has real struggles…but who knows where her hope and salvation and even joy amidst difficult days comes from.
Thanks for sticking with me, for encouraging me, for sharing these days with me. 
In Him,
Holly
Mothering Through Sickness
We visited the library this week, due to sweet pleadings from my three year old. I should have known better. Not that I want illiterate children, nor do I have anything against appropriately chosen books….it’s just…the bacteria buffet that permeates the toddler toy area and clings to the board books makes me cringe. But, what is a mama to do when a little one asks in such a precious manner…”Please, Mama. Can’t we go INSIDE the library?”
If you’ve ever been stuck inside for a good long month due to hacking coughs or viral infections, you understand my reticence. (And, of course you have!) My family just recovered from a 3 week respiratory illness, and I didn’t want to fight that yet again. Nonetheless, I succumbed, and in we went.
Home we came, rewarded three days later with a nasty stomach bug that kept the baby up screaming in the night for several days. He is on the mend, prayerfully, and we will emerge from yet another trip through germ valley.
I rocked my little boy last night, and through tiredness and stressed nerves marveled in a moment of holy awe. God allows me, as a mama, to soothe a fevered brow, to trace small circles of comfort on an upset tummy. We as women and mothers minister, directly, to the hurting and the wounded. To kiss their troubled cheek, to watch their delicate eyelashes flutter down at last in sleep, to catch that last hiccupped sigh…this is the ministry that even angels don’t have the privilege of regularly keeping.
I work so diligently to build my family’s bodies healthy and strong through nutrition and clean living, but there are times when illnesses come no matter what we do. Because some of my little ones don’t react well to strong prescription medicines, I am trying to learn the art of using herbs and essential oils to treat illnesses when possible. (One of my new cyber-friends, Dawn C., is helping me out in amazing ways. Thank you, Dawn!)
I don’t feel I know enough about either the herbs or oils yet to share any information, I just want to reassure you of the difference your care can make for your family. (It isn’t just limited to children, or to little ones. Husbands enjoy some good care, too, and I think my teenager felt kind of special at the attention the last time he was sick, as well.)
Sometimes when my home is overwhelmed with sicknesses, I have to remind myself that “this IS a ministry.” It is a VALID ministry. It is probably one of the first ministries that God gives to us as women. He gifts us with the capacity of compassion, and the desire to nurture. It is so easy for me to begin to feel frustrated at missing so many things…church services, practicing hospitality, visits with friends…and yet, if I just let those things go and take care of the sick ones, my spirits improve and I can enjoy the role of caregiver. (I’ll be honest. I don’t enjoy the missed sleep…yet God is our supplier, and somehow, He will provide what we need!)
When I have sick ones in the house, one of the first things I need to do is provide properly for their nutrition. If they have eaten something that causes a reaction because of their allergies, I place them on quite a restrictive diet. If they have a cold, they get extra vitamins and teas, special oils rubbed on their lymph nodes, back and throat . I pull out some of my home made broth from the freezer, and warm it for them to drink.
If they aren’t terribly sick, they are set up on the couch, complete with books and quiet toys. If the illness is dreadful, and contagious, then clean crisp sheets are in order for an isolated bedroom. A little peppermint oil on their pajamas or pillow is an extra special touch, that can even help bring down a fever. (Thanks again, Dawn!) Cool water with lemon and a bendy straw is a MUST! Surprisingly, even though “comfort” is my goal, the sick one always seems ready to get out of that bed and to return to full fledged life among the healthy.
Baths are another way to revive a sickling. Tepid baths or sponge baths to gently bring down a fever; warm baths to help those suffering from colds. Sometimes I do a few small drops of peppermint oil in the water to open sinuses (but be careful, too much feels hot to the skin); if a child needs to be soothed, I like to put in some lavender oil. It is quite calming!
While you are ministering to your family, don’t forget to take the best care of yourself that you can…even though it is on the run. I always drink lots of extra pure water, and boost the vitamin C myself. You know how extra miserable it is when Mom is sick too!
This is such a great time to teach the other children compassion. Those old enough can help with extra laundry, can serve a sick sibling, can help out by reading to the little ones or by selecting toys or books for those who are sick. They will grow up knowing how to care for their own families, and your boys will become men who are compassionate to their wives through times of illness.
This is just a reminder to the lady of the house. The care you are giving to your loved ones is more than just drudgery, or something that has to be done. Don’t downplay the importance of soft tissues and cool drinks and clean sheets. This care, when given with a loving heart and kind words and gentle hands, is service not only for your family, but service for the King!
P.S. Three of my favorite books are Prescription for Nutritional Healing, Super-Immunity for Kids by Dr. Leo Galland, and Mommy Diagnostics by Shonda Parker. Please feel free to share your favorite resources and tips in the comments!
