Why I Was Thankful for A Sick Kid on Mother's Day

On Mother's Day this year, we were on vacation in Monterey.  I was loving the family adventures, the sound of the ocean crashing on the beach, and the break from our regular routine.  Then, about an hour after we'd gotten up, it became apparent that Baby D had contracted a stomach virus.  Ugh.  

I wanted to run and hide from the germs and soiled laundry I now needed to wash.  And I was certain that in our vacation rooms with no way to isolate D from everyone else, the virus would spread like a wildfire through the family.  

But as I gritted my teeth and got started on cleanup (and really, Jon did most of it himself), the Lord showed me just how much I had to be thankful for.

• I was thankful to have little ones of my own.  So many women are still waiting to be mothers.  They would have given anything to be in my shoes, maybe even being grateful for the opportunity to mop up after a sick child.  
• I was thankful for the reminder to pray more fervently.  Illness, even simple viruses, make me pray much more often than I usually do.  I really should be praying like that all the time, but I don't.  Sickness in the family quickly reminds me of my limitations and sends me into a constant state of prayer.
• I was thankful for the down time D's illness afforded us.  Jon and the kids love very active vacations, where we're constantly doing one activity or outing after another.  I much prefer doing almost nothing, just relaxing and enjoying our time together.  With a sick kiddo, we spent the next few days resting and taking it easy, just the way I like it.

While I'd never wish for anyone to be sick, especially not while on vacation, I found that I had many things to be thankful for despite and because of Baby D being sick on Mother's Day.  It wasn't the best Mother's Day I've ever had, but it still had its own blessings, too.  The Lord had to open my eyes to them, and I'm so grateful that He did.

And as one last blessing, God was gracious, and the virus didn't spread to anyone else.  I was the most grateful for that!