Ill, and Far Away

The wind was howling wildly around the lonely single room cabin as it dashed the swirling snow against the walls and windows. By the light of one small lantern a young mother sat in her rocking chair, cradling her very ill child. Nearby her husband was stirring the embers in the fireplace and adding more wood. Janet rocked back and forth, crooning softly. She had been up all night for the last five nights, except for the times when she reluctantly relinquished the precious toddler to David so she could have a brief rest.

    David, whose face was also drawn with care, came and stood behind the chair with his arms clasping her shoulders.

            “Any improvement?” he whispered
. It grieved them both that she wasn't responding to them anymore. In fact she didn’t seem to even be aware of them.

            She shook her head, the tears threatening to brim over. She handed him the wash cloth she had been sponging Melissa’s forehead and cheeks with, and wordlessly he dipped it in a basin of cool water before handing it back to her.

            David knelt beside his wife and laid his hand on her arm. “Shall I take a turn? The fire’s burning brightly now. It should be warmer soon.”

            Janet’s shoulders sagged. “I hate to stop holding her,” she whispered.

            David nodded. “I’ll change her for you and give her back,” he responded gently.

            Melissa had been having severe, bloody diarrhea for so long that they didn’t know how she could survive much longer.

            David was so gentle with their little girl and Janet loved watching him, but this time her eyes drifted shut. When he saw that she had fallen asleep, he walked back and forth in front of the fireplace with the baby in his arms.

            Fifteen minutes later Janet woke up. To David’s relief she looked more rested and relaxed.     “Did you see it?”

            “See what?”
            “The angel; He touched Melissa on the chest then turned to me and said, ‘Your child shall be healed.”

            David’s own weary eyes lighted with joy.

            We are much like Melissa. Sometimes we are in a great fever because of all the stresses in our lives. Sometimes we really mess up, and aren't even aware how much God loves us, and is caring for us.  But remember He is. He really is. Just trust.