Good medicine

Ever been awakened in the middle of the night not knowing what hit you, but suddenly aware that you've been blindsided, totally caught off guard? That's my experience in the wee hours Sunday morning, after blissfully drifting off Saturday night for some much-needed rest. Out of a dead sleep, I woke myself up shivering uncontrollably, and the more aware I became, the more I realized this was not just a case of needing another blanket (which would be odd for hot-natured me anyway). The thermometer and my increasingly achey body confirmed it. Despite being the hand-washing, ever-cautious germ queen that I am -- I was SICK.

I must admit I stayed in denial for a few moments, but not for long. Fever, chills, headache, cough, all out of nowhere convinced me to get up and try the homeopathic flu medication my friend Lori swears by (even though my research has found that there are as many people crying "sugar pills!" as there are people who use the stuff), along with a tall glass of Emergen-C thrown in for good measure. I realized in short order that sleep wasn't coming anytime soon, so I decided to have a serious pep talk with my usually strong immune system, which went something like this: "Okay, c'mon body, you can do this. You are working hard to rid me of this intruder and you can DO this. Keep it up. Do not give in. We are stronger than this bug!" Then I spent the rest of the night praying. The timing of this couldn't be worse, what with our week-long Christmas pageant beginning unofficially Sunday night and then on to the real thing on Monday. I asked God to work his healing power in me, knowing full well He is capable and willing...unless, unbeknownst to me, He had plans to keep me praying for pageant instead of playing the parts I had rehearsed. So I gave him my anxiety as best I could and tried to sleep.

About that time I felt a familiar longing sneak up behind me and take over my emotions. One would presume that at forty-something and a year and a half past saying "see you later" to my Mom when she departed this earth, I would not still wish for her loving care and concern when I'm ill. This is the first time I've been acutely sick in two years, but I am here to tell you, it matters not that she is no longer with me in body. Passing the night feeling like a train had run me over and then backed up over my hurting body again for good measure, I wanted my Mama! I write this not to garner sympathy -- I write this as a testimony to the bonds of love and care that run so deep they last a lifetime. Sure, it's kind of sad, and maybe a little pitiful, but when it comes down to it, I wouldn't trade those hard feelings for anything. They bring back memories to treasure. I laid in the darkness, asking God to just show me her face, and there she was, in my mind's eye, caring for me once again. Feverish hallucinations? No. Just sweet comfort from my childhood.

God also brought to mind something I had just read in a book, a true story I am enjoying very much (will post about it when I've finished it). Instead of waking my sleeping husband to comfort me further, I prayed, "God, you are with me, helping me." Relaxing came easier when I kept this powerful thought on top of all the other things swirling around in my head. I think I drifted off for an hour or so, somewhere around 5:00 a.m. I was so tired all day Sunday and not really up to par, but for the most part, all symptoms subsided during that day, without ever taking a single fever-reducing medication.

I'm still not sure what it was, but it was short-lived. I certainly hope there is no "next time" any time soon, but I will use the homeopathic medication again. I will cheer on my immune system. And I know I will most definitely find comfort in the Lord and in my mother's legacy. Isn't it just like God to bring to mind our blessings even when we're in misery? I love that He loves us like that. :-)