So today makes a little over 3 months that we've had our new kiddos. There have
definitely been ups and downs with adjustments but I seemed to have hit rock
bottom this past Sunday. On Valentine's Day, Craig worked hard on preparing our
traditional fondue dinner and dessert. Phoeby was screaming with tummy pain and
ended up throwing up on Craig after dinner. That night Emily threw up in her
bed...a lot!!! She likes fondue but it's not meant to come back up. Over the
weekend Phoeby's swelling continued to get worse and Craig and I ended up with
that nasty bug. We were up all night making trips to the toilet but due to DiGize
oil was able to keep it down. But we felt terrible!! Satan had been working on
my mind for a few weeks, slowly creeping in thoughts of defeat since we had been
struggling with certain children's attitudes and heart issues, along with
fatigue and sibling selfishness. I had also been working so hard on doing
natural oils to keep Phoeby healthy so when she got sick, I felt like I just
wasn't good enough.
I had been having my morning devotions, but they were more routine and rushed
with 6 kids and needing to start the day with homeschooling. Plus, time for
myself or for Craig and I had been very little. People may not understand, but
it is not exaggerating when I say that every bit of the time and energy we had was
given to bonding with our new kids, keeping ongoing relationships with Emily, Liz, and Stephen,
as well as put out sibling problems, answer a million questions a day with new
experiences for Christian, Duan, and Phoeby, and just keeping our heads above water!!!
My energy and love tank had been running on empty for weeks. I even felt like I
had lost joy and didn't even want to be around my family. Thoughts began in my
mind of feeling trapped in a prison that I couldn't escape...because what a
TERRIBLE parent I would be to say that I didn't like my family that we had
prayed so hard for!!!
My comfort started to become the pieces of chocolate that I hid in my nightstand
and the hope that if I could just survive today...time will pass. God definitely
knows what we need when we can't even express it in words! So back to Sunday
with me laying on the sofa feeling terrible...physically, emotionally,
spiritually, and totally defeated! In an impulse moment I posted how I felt on
Facebook. Then Craig and I talked and I sobbed in his arms as he prayed over me.
I couldn't even pray except to ask the Holy Spirit to intercede for me. I just
sobbed and rested in my love's safe arms.
It's hard to humble yourself as a mom and to admit when you need help...at least
it is for me. I didn't want to burden anyone or expose anyone to the "bug" that
had invaded our house since Christian even got sick on Monday. But God sent his
angels of grace and mercy to come to my aid in a time of need. I had numerous
emails and messages of prayer and encouragement. Since Craig was already better
he had to leave for work on Monday. Friends came over to clean my house, do
laundry, and one saint even gave me an amazing massage! Even my children helped
take care of their mom and had more peace in the house...at least for a day or
two! A friend sacrificially watched my other children when I had to take Phoeby
to the doctor. Some friends are planning to bring us a meal, and the list goes
on. The amazing thing about this is that most of them are not blood related who
came to lift me out of the pit I was in...but all are sisters and brothers in
God's family! God has used this week of weakness for me to remind me of His
provision and that He is always with us. I needed to rest in Him to see it
though.
I would never have believed it, but due to prayers, encouragement, and the
saints who served me so lovingly, just 2 days after feeling defeated and down,
joy returned! I laughed and even had fun with my kids on Tuesday. I wanted to
hug them and tell them that I loved them! My strength and energy was restored as
well. God's medicine truly is miraculous and life changing!
There is still a long, winding road ahead for our family as we continue
through this transition time, but I know it is not a road I have to walk alone.
That's my God story!
***Due to having a "gone wrong" Valentine's Day...the kids had to postpone their Valentine Concert for us until a few days later. Here's "God's Not Dead" Hamstra kid style!
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