It finally happened-
I have been pushing and pushing myself since I cannot remember when. Working full time at a part time job, working another part time job on top of that, clearing out a house and getting it ready for sale, working with summer programming, being a good wife, mother, and doggie mom. Putting myself at the end of the line (except for my walking).
Last week it finally happened. My body protested- it said, “Enough is enough. If you won’t give me a break, then I will just have to take one.”
I woke up on June 30, wheezing very badly. I was not sure if it was just my ears playing tricks on me, so I took a minute to snap a quick video of myself breathing, still lying in bed. I sent the video to my husband and he agreed, “That sounds awful!”
That day happened to be our church’s annual Homecoming complete with special singing and a potluck, one of my favorite services of the year, but I knew that I just was not going to make it. I texted friends so they would know why I was not there and started on Mucus relief medicine and plenty of fluids.
I kept thinking that the medicine would do the trick, but it didn’t so July 5, I finally broke down and went to the doctor. Two shots and a round of antibiotics later I walked out the door and headed home with high hopes that I would be back on my feet quickly.
Not so much!
By July 8, I could tell that the medicine just wasn’t cutting it, so a quick text to the doctor who told me to wait until Wednesday and come back if I still was not better.
The next two days were filled with lots of couch time- watch tv, drink fluids, cough, run to the bathroom, watch tv, sleep, drink fluids, trip to the bathroom so the coughing fits won’t cause that typical “Mommy dribble”….. you get the picture.
Wednesday July 10, I was back at the doctor where I was diagnosed with bronchitis. Another steroid shot, finish my antibiotics, take a steroid pack, and get plenty of fluids and rest.
By this point the message my body had been telling me was beginning to sink in.
Yes, God tells us to work hard. Colossians 3:23 says,
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the LORD, not for human masters.
BUT….. God also said, in Psalm 127:2
In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat- for he grants sleep to those he loves.
Sometimes we women forget that. Motherhood, being a wife, running a household. We take on all of that ON TOP OF our work jobs. We try to help with church activities, community activities, and attend every sporting event in which our children participate. But….. we also need to press pause from time to time, take some time to rejuvenate ourselves and just REST, even if it takes our body protesting and boycotting any further work to achieve that.
The good news is…. I am feeling better. I think my body is recovering. I can breathe better, and if it were not for the “steroid headache” that I have I think I would ALMOST be ready to tackle the world! For now, I will ease back into things.
I am also planning to set aside a day, sometime in the next few weeks to take my body on a well deserved day out. I have been dreaming all summer of a zoo trip to just walk, enjoy the animals and the fresh air, and take in all of the amazing creatures that God has given us. I think my body and I have EARNED IT!
Renewal and Refuge 