Gentle Reminders of the Gospel

Disinfecting Towels

My calendar says that the boys and I should be spending the night at my parent's house tonight while Kevin is out of town on a weekend mission trip.

My reality finds me sitting in bed next to an exhausted four-year old who spent last night throwing up, woke up this morning with diarrhea, and is now running a fever.

Kevin and Liam had touches of this harsh "bug" during the week, but nothing compared to what my sweet Silas has had to endure these last 24 hours. 

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"I'm scared, Mama."

His whisper brings tears to my eyes because I know how much he hates to throw up. His general rule in life at this point is that if he knows you've thrown up in the last week he refuses to touch or smell you. 

Throwing up doesn't just hurt him. It scares him. So I stay close. I lose sleep. I hold his limp body up so that he makes it into the bucket. I gently set him back down, watching his eyes slowly shut for a few moments of rest and relief. 

I whisper back, "You don't have to be scared. Mama is here to take care of you. Stay close to me and rest."

His brown eyes open for a quick second and gaze softly into mine, just long enough to communicate that he trusts me. He believes me. And even though he knows he may have to endure suffering a little while longer he can rest in the fact that I'm here. I see. And my instructions are for his good. 

And gentle reminders of the gospel preach to me as I drift in and out of sleep.

Hebrews 13:5-6
For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." So we may boldly say: "The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"

Psalm 53:5-8

My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food,
    and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, when I remember you upon my bed,
    and meditate on you in the watches of the night; for you have been my help,
    and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. My soul clings to you;
    your right hand upholds me.

Psalm 121:1-4

 I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?  My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.  He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.  Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

1 Peter 5:10

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.