Never Too Tired

I was thinking the other day about how tired I am. I keep staying up way too late and then I have to get up way too early. I stay up because...well...I have 7 wonderful children I'm responsible for. The youngest four have me running all day then I settle down on the couch to make memories with my older three. When they're all tucked away in bed and I've tended to the kitchen, etc. (if I'm not too pooped to pop), I enjoy those quiet moments typing or looking up things online I've thought about during the day. Eventually I fall into bed, sometime fully clothed, only to be awaken 30 minutes later for a feeding, four hours after that for another feeding, an hour after that for the wonderful goodbye kisses my husband gives me before heading off to work at 5:30 am and moments later morning shines through my windows mocking my curtains telling me to get up and do it all again.

But then there are those nights when someone is sick. The baby had two nights with very high fevers (104 and 104.5 respectively). I'm wide awake with no hint of a drag in my step. I'm alert and ready to respond. I play nurse made with no complaint if it can ease the suffering of the little one who has no idea what is making her little body feel so uncomfortable. I have had children vomit on my pillow, not once but twice. I've taken temps under armpits, in bottoms, ears and mouths (not the same thermometer as used for bottoms:). I've undressed, bundled and wiped down. I've given cool water, tea, Pediasure and 7-Up. And I've prayed like I've never prayed before!

God has given mama's a reserve fuel tank, I think. We think we're empty and tired and weak but when we're needed we switch tanks and charge through without a second thought. It's different than the adrenalin rush we can get in emergency situations. It's not a fight, flight or freeze response. We don't run from it but to the emergency. We are fearfully and wonderfully made, aren't we? And we will make it through all the diapers and spit up and teething. The high fevers and coughs and breathing treatments won't make us retreat. We're like God's postal service: neither vomit, nor boogies, nor fevers, nor diarrhea shall keep us from our duty as mothers.

Thank you Lord for Your strength!!! I'm tired, but You're not! Praise the Lord...Zzzzzzz