Taking It All In Stride

This few day stretch that follows Christmas was meant to be an opportunity for my sister and her family, my mom, and my own family, to gather together in one of our favorite places on the Oregon coast.  Super Spouse willingly sacrificed sleep to join us for the five-hour drive on his first day off in many consecutive days.  The drive began quite well, and the boys were happily entertained with their various electronic entertainment options that were accompanying them on our trip.  Traffic moved swiftly and we arrived in good time. 

The cousins got right to playing, and soon joyful laughter and running feet were readily heard through the house.  The afternoon continued without incident, and Super Spouse even had the opportunity to retreat to our room to rest.  Then, without warning, Cautious came to me with stomach cramps…

And so it began.  Cautious continued to complain of abdominal cramping, and not long later, Adventurous announced that he too, had similar symptoms.  At first, it seemed that it was a case of twin sympathy pain, but later proved to be genuine.  All night long, Mom, Super and myself were up and down with both boys as they seemed to alternate rounds to the restroom.  Both boys became severely dehydrated, and my concerns that we might have to cruise to the ER, were growing.  Fortunately, they both seemed to have completely depleted their systems of every inkling of waste by the wee hours of the morning, and were able to begin taking in a bit of Gatorade to rehydrate.

The thing about the ordeal that really was remarkable to me, was how my typically not-so-tough Cautious, took it all in stride.  At the first onset of ache, he sweetly asked me if I would pray for him.  His faith, despite his haggard state, was firm.  He knew the true source of strength in every situation, even in the onset of this fiasco of a flu bug, was the Heavenly Healer.  Cautious only asked that I stay near him, and he did not complain.  He was the toughest little trooper ever, despite being the sickest he likely can ever recall.  He displayed an unshakeable faith that filled my Momma’s heart with gratitude and awe at the grace given by God to my sick son.

Though I had been praying for my sweet boys to feel better, the quiet and confident faith found in my son, filled my heart and mind with the peace that only Christ can bring in the center of crisis.  Despite my exhaustion, my heart is full, knowing that God held hands and hearts through the yuck. 

I am reminded anew of how critical it is that we call on Christ if we want to be able to take it all in stride.  He alone provides what we need, no matter what the circumstance.  He is present, even in the putrid places.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present