Sick Day For Mommy?

Yesterday I was sick ALL day, slept pretty bad the night before too.  Thankfully, my husband was off of work and was able to help out with the girls.  However, as I laid down in bed, partaking in some much needed rest, I felt GUILTY!  Why?  Now, I told y'all that God has been speaking deep into my heart lately and I firmly believe had not my ears been listening I wouldn't have had the opportunity to work out what I am about to tell you.

So, why?  When I was little I was sick almost always!  Crazy allergies and bronchial asthma were at the top of the list.  (Note: I love my parents and am not bashing them in anyway.)  I'm not sure if they realized I had allergies or not, but I would visit my Dad (Yes, they were divorced.) who had cats!  Did I mention I am SEVERELY allergic to cats!  I remember him saying to me one visit, "You just get sick because you don't want to be here.".  Now, remember, parents aren't perfect and we all say things we regret. However, I never put two and two together.  Every time I would get sick after that and until now I felt guilty, like I was getting sick intentionally.  Thank you JESUS that He revealed this deep seeded lie in my heart!  I don't ever want to be sick.  I bet you don't either, but when we get sick we should be able to rest up and get better without guilt or thinking we need to be supermom. I do realize there are times when we have to woman-up and take care of things, but if we have the opportunity to rest it should be without guilt.  Here are a few Bible verses that say, hey, it's okay to rest and be healed!

Matthew 11:28  "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Exodus 34:21 “Six days you shall work, but on the seventh day you shall rest. In plowing time and in harvest you shall rest.

Isaiah 53: 5  "But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed."

Might I even suggest that sometimes we will only receive healing in our bodies when we REST! 

So, yesterday, God healed a very small piece of my heart that was buried for so long.  Anytime I began to feel guilty I would remind myself, that Jesus Himself needed rest,  God requires a day of rest from us, and that healing may come only from REST.  I will no longer allow myself to say, "I'm sorry I'm sick, I feel like I'm letting you down". I will no longer allow myself to wallow in negative chatter about being sick either.

Are you sick?  Are you weary?  Rest!  Rest in Jesus, rest on the couch, rest on the bed!  Rest!  Give yourself a few minutes, a few hours, whatever you need to get better.  The dishes can wait.  Rest!

CH