I always say I would have had 10 kids if only children didn’t get sick. I can handle diapers, meal time, story time, bath time, and getting them to bed. I can handle home schooling and sky rocketing hormones, but sickness? Sick kids leave me worried and weary.
I’ll never forget checking my 18 month old boy into the hospital at 5:00 a.m. After 6 months of intestinal infections, he got a virus that left him severely dehydrated and unresponsive. As day broke we sat waiting for the doctor, and my heart broke to see my big, strong husband cry.
The same kid later developed an asthmatic cough. He’d cough five times a minute. That cough kept us up nights and sent us to the emergency room and countless doctors. Total strangers approached me all the time to ask what was wrong with my son.
Then there was the week he spent flat on his back hallucinating from fever, unable to lift his head, open his eyes, or eat. Those seven days turned me into one distraught, dog-tired mom!
And that’s only one kid.
Motherhood: It’s worth it, but it’s a marathon.
Today I’m guest posting for my friend Abby McDonald’s “Renewal Through Christ” series. Come on over to Abby’s blog to read about how I find renewed strength for those uphill marathon days.(And while you’re there, check out some of Abby’s posts. She’s a gifted writer who who has a knack for knowing just how moms feel.)
Linking up today with Holly Barrett’s #TestimonyTuesday and Kelly Balarie’s #RaRalinkup, Meredith Bernard’s #Woman2Woman, and Jennifer Dukes Lee’s #TellHisStory. Check their communities for more encouragement.
Hi Betsy! I am one of your #raralinkup sisters and linky neighbors at Testimony Tuesday! On my way over to Abby’s to finish your story 🙂 Blessings to you!
Thanks, Danise!
I loved your post over on Abby’s site Betsy. I had no idea you lived in the Middle East right now!
Thank you for the encouragement to keep going. As a mother I can get so wrapped up in the struggles I start to feel like it was always be that way… thanks for reminding me to lean on Jesus to get me through it 🙂
Visiting from RaRa Linkup!
Thanks for your encouragement, Rachel. Yes, it’s easy to lose perspective and think things will always be this way! May God renew our strength and change us from glory to glory day by day!
Hi Betsy, I am leaving another comment here because I am your partner on #Woman2Woman today! Fab words as I indicated on Abby’s blog in comments. Lord, please bless Betsy in all she does. Lord, guide her ways, instruct her heart and lead her soul in truth so that she can spread an important word to us all. Amen.
Thanks for the prayer, Kelly. I appreciate your faithfulness, friend.
I never know whether to comment with the author or the host – so I’m picking you this time. 🙂 Loved these words of renewed strength, Betsy – there was strength in and through them. Psalm 73:26 is one of my favorites and I come back to it time and time in good and difficult seasons – He is our portion of everything we need. Thank you for sharing your mom’s heart.
I Love that verse as well, Tiffany. He IS our portion. May He strengthen you as you go through your days. (I never know where to leave a comment on guest posts either!)