By My Side

Being sick is never fun! But one of the most vivid and life-changing memories I have of my childhood happened when I was sick.  I was 8 years old.  At the time we lived in the roof of a house that they had accommodated so it would serve as an apartment.  My sister and I shared a room which was actually part of a bathroom; instead of the bath tub it was our bunk bed. Luckily the toilet had a curtain that separated it from our "room"!   My sister slept in the upper bed (always the daring one!) and I slept in the lower one.

I remember that I was so sick that night that my body was burning up.  I had fever, chills, and a terrible bitter taste in my mouth.   And then I remember my mom.  On her knees, by my bedside, praying, holding my little and sickly hand and interceding for me.  It must have been past 1 or 2am because it was dark and the rest of my family was sleeping.  My mom spent that whole night holding my hand, praying for my healing. The whole night! I could hear her prayers, I could see her tears, I could feel her love.  And despite the high fever and whatever virus was attacking my body, I felt safe, and I felt loved.

I don't remember how I woke up the next day, if I was better right away or if it took some days for my health to improve; but what I do know is that that night I felt the love of God through my mother's prayers, knowing she was by my side painted the picture of how God is consistently by my side, also interceding for me.  In Romans 8:26 it says the Spirit of God intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.  Let us be reminded that our God is by our side.   He is interceding for us with so much passion and love; like my mom held my little hand God is holding yours. He will get you through the seasons of pain and sickness, through the valley of the shadow of death, He will lead you beside quiet waters, He will make you lie down in green pastures, and He will restore your soul. :)