September 27, 2011

Aching Arms

This past weekend has been undoubtedly miserable and tiring.

One at a time, each member in our family of seven came down with the flu from youngest to oldest in a matter of hours!

Like a tidal wave it came. Tossing and turning. Painful and pounding.

We attend a small church, live in a small town and have no relatives in the state we live in. We are used to living independently, relying mostly upon ourselves and the Lord.

This time was most trying.

With most large families you can count on everyone getting sick.

But all of us? At the same time?

We huddled together in the living room. Laying towel's all over the floor and couches. Water bottles, "bucket's," pillow's and us.

Praying for strength and healing. As quickly as the sickness arrived it had ended.

I was reflecting on how when you are a mother, you are always a mother. Even if it hurts, you comfort and nurture and love.

I'm still in pain. Sore from sickness. More sore for holding my babes.

There were times I was holding someone for so long my arms would go numb. Other times, I couldn't make them go straight having been angled for so long.

This morning I told my husband that my arms ache from holding the children.

Then he gently spoke to me and reminded me...

One day I will ache to hold them.

That's how  the Lord comforts us.

While I was holding my babes, He was holding me.

"And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them."

~Matthew 10-16


This post is linked to Visionary Womanhood: When life gives you lemons...

12 Modest Musings:

Cheryl @Treasures from a Shoebox said...

So glad you are feeling better, sweet Stephanie. Thank you for sharing this thought-provoking post.

Tiffany (As For My House) said...

So sorry for your struggle... We'll be praying that you're all healed and whole quickly!

Thank you for sharing this beautiful reminder.

Traci said...

I'm glad you're feeling better! Your post reminds me of my own thoughts recently regarding our bedtime routines. We pray together as a family, the children (9, 11 & 12) brush their teeth and head off to bed where daddy goes to tuck them all in. A short while later, they all come back in for another round (or two) of kisses. Then after we turn out our light, our son comes in 3 times to say goodnight and kisses again. This happens without fail every night.

While some nights, we can get frustrated that they don't stay in bed and joke we should have used duct tape ;), we also stop and realize that these precious moments and traditions will end soon enough. We also have 3 adult children grown and gone and so we treasure these moments and see them for what they are... precious.

Stephanie said...

It goes so fast! Thank you for sharing too!

Stephanie said...

Thank you, dear friend!!!

Stephanie said...

Thank you for your sweet thoughts!

Lisa said...

Thankful to hear that you're on the mend.
Blessings in Him,
Lisa

Stephanie said...

Thank you, Lisa!

The Momma @ The Straightened Path said...

When I saw this title I was afraid it was about something else. We went through the same thing about 2 weeks ago. Boy it was rough. Luckily The Daddy avoided it and could help take care of us all. That really does change the dynamic from your situation. Anyway, I hope that you are back to 100% very soon!

Jasmine said...

Beautiful. Thank you for sharing. I featured you on Domestically Divine. Thanks for linking up, Stephanie.

Blessings,

Jasmine

Mary said...

Ohhh I remember the year my 4 boys and hubby and I all got sick at the same time. It was hard but we got threw it. I pray for all the aches and pains to go away but I pray that the closeness you all received will stay.

Blessings<
-Mary

Natalie said...

That's a lemon all right! : ( Thank you for linking to Visionary Womanhood with your sordid tale. : ) I love how you wrapped it all up with Truth...and the Lord carried you through.