July 07


Feeling Sick?


He will yet fill your mouth with laughing, and your lips with rejoicing.

Job 8:21 (NKJV)


Ugh. Our house smells like some kind of hospital ward, so Kris had me light some candles. Yeah, it's been pretty grim around here, and it's not over yet. The sickness that wracked my body for four days now has a grip on my son Ryan. My heart goes out to him....

I guess being sick wasn’t all bad. There were two especially good experiences here, no, make that three or maybe more....

The first happened at the eight-hour point. This was when I could finally drink. The first sip of cool water on my parched lips was like heaven. The cool, clear liquid pooled on my tongue then splashed and swirled against the sides of my mouth. I treated it like the finest Bordeaux. I sipped and savored every mouthful. Within an hour though I switched from being a connoisseur of fine French wine to becoming the great American Gatorade guzzler ... hey, I was thirsty!

The second thing that blessed me was the opportunity to rest—wholeheartedly and unashamedly. To sleep without guilt, well without too much guilt. And have extra time to think. It was good—a sort of spiritual and mental pause for refreshment—even while being sick.

And finally? Yes, finally. I enjoyed the thought that things would get better, that there would be life after ... sickness.

I feel better now and that should help Ryan, I hope. Now it’s my turn to show the TLC I so relished. And if anyone else gets sick? I hope they’ll take comfort in these words, “He will yet fill your mouth with laughing....”


Father, heal Ryan. Keep my family well and lift our spirits. Amen.