My Aching Heart

I sit here in my kitchen on a hard chair working on lots of different things- music, e-mails, cake orders, etc. Each of my kids has a cold. A few are on the mend. A few are in the worst stage of the cold. I hear them coughing, coughing, COUGHING all night long. Every now and then someone moans. My poor babies. I do my best to make them comfortable.

As I am finishing up the last of my work for the night I hear someone shout out, "MOM!!!" I put the laptop on the counter and I jump to my feet so I can make it to the bedroom of whoever is awake and crying out BEFORE Mike wakes up and gets there... and realizes I'm still up at this late hour. (1:40am)

I find Chase sitting up in his little toddler bed. His eyes are half open. His body feels sweaty as his pjs are a little too warm and he's under too many blankets. I tell him I'm there and he leans his head forward onto my chest. I pet his back and tell him he's okay and to lay back down. He doesn't want to so I stay knelt beside his bed a few more seconds.

Immediately my heart started aching- thinking of my friend who has gone to live with Jesus. She has three little children. When they cry out "MOM" in the night she won't be there to hold them and kiss them and comfort them. Her husband will be the one to jump up and get to their bedside. Those precious children will not have their Mom to tuck them in, put bandaids on their ouchies, read them stories, fix their hair.

Praying this evening that the Lord will help them know He is near to them. Praying that their Dad will have the strength to go on. Praying that their Aunts can visit often and help them remember their Mom- and perhaps give them the woman touch they need.

Also praying that I don't forget to pray for them and that I appreciate every moment I have with my own children. It is a comfort to know that we are His and that he can meet every need we have.