sickness – Teresa K. Lasher

Just opening the blue jar of Vicks VapoRub® brings back fond memories of my Mom. Whenever I was sick, she would gently rub the ointment on my throat and chest and carefully cover the area with a towel. Then I’d top the cloth with a tee shirt or pajamas – something to keep the healing vapors in place.

As I rub the balm in today as an adult, I consider this downtime a waste of time. I should be going somewhere/doing something. Yet, due to a nasty cold, I’m resigned to coughing, blowing my nose and taking medications. I feel unproductive and count these days as lost. But are they really? I’ve been able to enjoy time at home watching movies with my husband who is also sick.

Days spent horizontal can be rejuvenating. There’s nowhere to look but up! And maybe that’s why I’m down. I’ve been in such a panic to make the holidays special that I’ve failed at the most important item: always remembering the Christ that makes Christmas possible.

The season should be all about Him (not decorated cookies, presents, or visitors). Since the noise has diminished, hecticness subsided, quiet reigns around me now. As I lay facing the ceiling, I realize what I missed. Chats (in the form of prayer) with my heavenly Father and time spent reading from my Bible.

God is the one who grants me breath, health and life. I’m not promised tomorrow. But I do have this day on earth to rejoice and give Him the glory — even if it’s spent in bed or on the couch.

Prayer: God, thank you that I am alive. I don’t feel well, but I can still find a reason to be thankful. Amen.

Hard to believe…today Steve and I celebrate our 36th wedding Anniversary. I thank God for Steve’s love, faithfulness, and long-standing commitment to me and to our family. Love you babe!

Always smooth sailing? Hardly. We’ve had our share of turbulent wind and waves, dead-boring calm and serene times too. When we both said “I do,” before God and witnesses, we committed to sticking together in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer. God didn’t promise years of perfection or no troubles. In fact, given the vows repeated, you’d expect adversity and pain.

What’s our secret to success? Flexibility, compromise, faith, and commitment. The best laid plans of men don’t always work out. I may have an idea or plan in my head, but that doesn’t mean my husband will embrace the same idea. Time has a way of helping solve disagreements. If the two of us don’t agree on a certain topic, sleeping on it (if the decision can wait) lends different perspective to the topic.

Give-and-take remains key in a relationship. I can’t always be right and neither can he. Respect the other person for their individual God-given talents and knowledge. I heard a quote once: “If both of us had identical qualities, one of us wouldn’t be needed!” If more time is needed, agree to disagree. It’s never a good idea to go to bed angry though, “Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry” (Ephesians 4:26).

Commitment: to bind by pledge or assurance, promise, obligation, dedication, devotion, steadfastness. Those can be frightening words…maybe that’s why many chose to avoid making a commitment. After all, it’s much easier and less threatening to stick with someone when the tide is favorable and the way smooth.

Perhaps the most important is faith. Faith in someone bigger and wiser than myself. I chose to place my faith in God: healer, Savior, and unconditional lover of my soul. As much as I love my husband, he cannot satisfy every longing of my soul. Steve is only human—just like me—full of selfishness, pride, and sin. When I place my trust in the unchangeable God, great things happen. Like being married 36 years today to my high school sweetheart!

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Tag Archive for: sickness

Vicks VapoRub = comfort & healing

Happy 36th Anniversary!