I used to pride myself on not getting sick. “I’m so healthy and full of probiotic homemade juices!” I would announce internally (and sometimes to the Jamba Juice lady who was pouring my health into a cup). Then I had kids. And all of that awesomeness went out the window.
You just can’t stay healthy with kids! Once you have two (or more), your chances of surviving winter without poo and vomit decrease rapidly.
Two years ago was our worst season health-wise. Not coincidentally, it was the same year I stopped breastfeeding my third child, and my middle child went to preschool and my oldest went to kindergarten. (Just kick me in the gut, Winter. Seriously.)
The worst part, too, was that the “flu merry-go-round” always seemed to hit right when my husband and I had something special planned, like going to see our favorite band live.
On that particular date night, my husband and I were all spiffed up – hands literally ON the door knob – when our baby got sick. Because she’s our third, we actually considered going still (I mean, we had had these tickets for months!) but then our middle child threw up so we knew we were done for.
To say I felt knocked down would’ve been an understatement. But here’s the cool part. I never ONCE freaked out. I didn’t get depressed, lose my cool, yell at my husband, or cry in a closet with a bowl of popcorn like I usually do. And do you wanna know why? I had my prayer warriors praying for me day and night!
THAT’S what held me together. Not the probiotics, vitamin C, Ibuprofen, or chicken noodle soup. Nope. We all still got sick. But God met us in the dark places (when our heads were in the toilet), and that’s worth writing about.
“Though I walk through the darkest valley, I will not fear (Minnesota in the winter!!)” (Psalms 23:4, Jonna Meidal paranthetical addition:))
I will not fear sickness.
I will not fear lack of sunlight.
I will not fear family drama.
I will not fear boredom.
I will not fear ANYTHING!
So rally up your troops, mamas, and get those figurative (and literal) gloves back on! Tell your community NOW that you need prayer for health this winter before you stock up on the broth. Because God’s strength is better than soup, right? And his power WILL sustain us, through our prayers and community, until we’re safe and sound on the other side of subzero temperatures, frolicking into spring.
“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you.” (Psalms 55:22)
Jonna Meidal is a mother to 3 girls who seeks to parent them by the fruits of the spirit (and her Quiet Hat). She’s been to 20 countries (yay!), loves to write & laugh (a LOT), & can’t get through the day without eating popcorn (duh!). You can read more of what she’s been up to at jonnameidal.com or follow her adventures on Instagram @quiet.hat.adventures.