Sunday Seven

7 tips for caring for a sick spouse... when you have small kids 

My husband was sick with pink eye and strep for 8 days. He has recovered and I learned a few things about caring for my dreamy husband as well as my sweet kids (plus work and home). I hope you never have to go through what I went through but just in case you find yourself in a similar situation, here's how to make it through:

H - hidden strength will appear • every time I think about all that's in my plate, I find that my limitations are many. As a believer in Jesus Christ, I find that hidden strength appears when I need it the most. God didn't let me down and I am so thankful for that. Strength I didn't know I had appeared as God helped us day by day.

U - use your resources • I didn't call a lot of people and broadcasted what was going on but our church family heard about it and a few friends offered help. A sweet, sweet friend brought us dinner one night, which meant the world to us. I learned that if people offer help, I should use that resource. I pray that God will bless our sweet friend a million times over for being there for us when we needed the most. 

S - spend time with God • My lifeline was spiritual discipline. I made time to pray and read the Bible, even if for a few minutes each day. The kids and I prayed for my husband each day and we believe God heard our prayers. I also prayed for endurance and to be loving throughout the whole time my husband was sick. I am encouraged to stay in touch with God at all times, not just in times of need. 

B - be organized • organization was a must. I had to get the kids to school, go to work and get the household stuff going. Organization is not my spiritual gift but it has been a vessel of sanity. Being organized in different areas really helped me establish some normalcy for the kids and it allowed my husband to rest well and recover. Even if all you can do is get lunches packed the night before, it is satisfying to be organized. 

A - accept change • there is a new normal that happens when a family member is recovering from sickness. I had to accept that fact. A lot of my schedule had to change and the quickest I accepted that, the easier it was. Other people were also accepting of the fact that I couldn't keep my commitments because I was putting my family first. Accepting change meant saying "this is where we are for now."  

N - niceness wins • Opportunities to get nasty with random people were plenty but I decided to let niceness win. I was tempted to go off and have a public pity party. I decided not to be a downer but instead, be pleasant. I am the master of my attitude therefore, niceness wins.

D - don't defer rest • You can't put rest in a pill: you just have to do it. If you do not rest, you are more likely to get sick as well. I took the opportunity to get a few extra hours of sleep per night. It really helped me to wake up recharged and ready to go. Rest is God's way to give the body a chance to regenerate, relax and renew. I'm not saying that you need to move in to a spa, I am saying that you shouldn't stay up late browsing the internet mindlessly or worrying. Rest in God and in the natural.