“Her children arise and call her blessed…”
Proverbs 31:28
Just about a year ago exactly, I had a terrible bought of vertigo which resulted in my children having to call 9-1-1 to get emergency help for me. (Click here if you would like to read that now-funny story.) After that incident, an emergency room visit and subsequent extensive testing by an ear-nose-throat specialist, I was diagnosed with Meniere’s Disease. This is a disorder of the inner ear characterized by episodes of vertigo and severe, sometimes debilitating, dizziness.
The ENT gave me a prescription to take when I feel I needed it. Months go by without me feeling any dizziness, but recently I felt the disorder rearing its ugly head. I took precautions to rest properly and took a dose of medication occasionally to settle the inner ear down.
The other evening as Joshua and Gabrielle were sitting at the dining room table doing their homework, I sat with them tapping away on this purple lap top computer of mine. Without much warning, I was suddenly walloped with a severe episode of vertigo. I could not move my head at all. The room was spinning and I felt nauseous.
Almost as if on auto-pilot, the kids knew exactly what to do. Perhaps remembering the violent episode from last year, they immediately went into action to care for me. Joshua came right to my side to try to steady me. He kept a hold of me and guided me as I stood up and walked slowly. Gabrielle closed her eyes and started to pray.
Once the kids got me to my favorite reclining chair, Gabrielle ran and got my Bible. She opened it to Proverbs 3 and read verses 5 and 6 out loud: “Trust in the Lord with all our heart; lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.” (I am thankful He makes my paths straight…especially when I have vertigo and am walking crooked!)
Joshua called Jim, who was on his way home from work, and Gabrielle called our dear friend to ask her to pray.
These rare but significant vertigo episodes are frightening. Gabrielle’s heart went straight to God’s Word. My brave young gentleman Joshua held my hand tenderly and firmly to comfort me.
“…be men of courage; be strong.”
1 Corinthian 16:13
Gabrielle then carefully and intentionally turned the pages of my Bible to Psalm 23. Again, she read out loud: “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures…” (or in my case, on a reclining chair to help my head from not spinning!)…He leads me beside quiet waters…I will fear no evil, for You are with me…”
“I have hidden Your word in my heart…”
Psalm 119:11
Tears of thankfulness streamed down my face. My kids effortlessly and instinctively were rising up. “Her children arise.” Not because of me, because of God’s grace and love.
Roles reversed temporarily, our children were taking care of me until the episode passed. Our children rose up and, by their actions, called me blessed. Their sweet love for me shone through in those moments of my unsteadiness. They came alongside me and wouldn’t leave until daddy arrived home from work, I fell asleep and they knew I would be alright.
Love arises to save and protect. “He is not here; He has risen, just as He said.” Matthew 28:6
Love intentionally takes action. “Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3:18
My children may not rise up every morning and call me blessed, but their actions and tender loving care beautifully say to my soul they call me blessed. Blessed by God with a precious family.
An imperfect, often frazzled, sometimes spatting, perfect-for-me family.
Love. Love rises up. Love arises to help steady one another during the uncertain moments of life. Love prays and washes us in the Word. “Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” 1 Corinthians 13:7-8
This dizzy blond has a fresh gratitude for the love of my family…and for the love and mercy of God who has blessed me with children who arise and a husband who lifts me up.
“My heart leaps for joy
and I will give thanks to Him…”
Psalm 28:7