Encouragement for Moms Who Care for a Sick Child

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, In Him I will trust,’” – Psalm 91: 1 & 2 (ESV)

When I look back on this time in our lives, Matt Kearney’s “Closer To Love” song lyrics come to my mind, “We’re all one phone call from our knees.”

The kitchen phone was ringing as we unlocked the back door. We spent the morning getting more blood tests for our 3-year-old son, Alex, who was experiencing his fourth high fever in three months.

It was 1992. There were no cell phones or Internet, we only had our land line phone.

“You need to get Alex to the children’s hospital immediately,” said our doctor. “There is an abnormality in his blood.”

Those words took my breath away, and all I could do was look wide-eyed at my husband who was waiting for the news.

Quickly, we packed Alex up and got him back in the car. A kind neighbor agreed to stay with our other two children.

The children’s hospital was an hour away.

During the ride, all I could do was stare at Alex who looked so small and pale in his car seat.

My mind was stuck. I couldn’t think, I couldn’t speak, and just one Bible verse kept repeating in my head, “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,” Psalm 23:4a (NKJV).

I prayed, “Lord, I don’t want hear about the shadow of death now, I want Alex to live! Help Alex, help us!”

This was the darkest, scariest valley our family had to walk through, and I was terrified.

I didn’t realize until later, I was focusing on the wrong part of the verse. God didn’t want me to focus on the possibility of Alex dying, He was telling me we would walk through it!

“Though I walk through the valley…”

We would not have to fear any evil during this journey because He would be walking with us. We would come out on the other side!

Even though I had no idea what was going to happen when we got to the hospital, or what Alex would have to go through, I did know I could trust God. We were not alone.

Reflection:

Think back on a dark, scary time, or at the time of your child’s diagnosis. What Scripture(s) gave you courage or comfort?

Prayer:

Dear Lord,

Thank you that You are here during our times of crisis. Thank you for never leaving us to walk these valleys alone. Be with the mom today who is facing a medical emergency, or a scary diagnoses, give her courage, help, and strength. Thank you we can find peace and comfort under the shadow of your wings, Amen.

Check in:

As you focus on your sick child, you will need help. Many times your friends and family want to help, but they don’t know what kind of help you need. Meanwhile, you are too overwhelmed to even think about what you need. Delegate this job to a family member or friend who knows your family well. Have this person communicate to the community your needs.

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