Memorial Box Monday: I have a headache

I enjoy writing this post each Monday. All week, I reflect on what God has done in my life. I ask Him which marvelous moment to share. Today's post is a little different from my others, a very light story. Yet, like the others, it shows how God works in everything and every moment of our lives. 

When my boys were very young, around 5 and 2, I got regular migraines. I still do, but not quite so often. Migraine medicine back then (ohhhh, that makes me sound so old) worked on the headaches, but it completely wiped me out. I did everything I could to avoid taking it. It just didn't work to be a mom and take that medicine.

One day, suffering from a horrific headache and two kids cooped up in the house (no doubt the Ohio weather had something to do with it), I considered the medicine. But, the kids would have free reign.... two inquisitive little people roaming free while mom slept hard. Nope. I'll suffer.

I remember asking God for inspiration. Help me. I need to be mommy and I need to lie down. Help!

You know God, the incredible creator of this universe who thought to create wallabies and whales, honey bees and ladybugs, delicate wildflowers and giant sequoias... That God. He's just as creative with us!

He heard my prayer and offered a plan. I'm so thankful I listened.... my headache day became one of my favorite ever mommy days! Are you curious? 

I called my boys to me and had them follow me upstairs to my bathroom. Without explaining, I put lotion on my face, let it sit a few minutes and then wiped it off. The boys jabbered, "What are we doin', mom?" "What's your plan?" 

They followed me back downstairs. Excited. Inquisitive. I pulled the markers out of the cupboard. "Are we coloring?" "How is that special?" Oh, can you hear them?

Then... I laid down on the living room floor, tucking a pillow under my head. I handed my older son the box of markers and said, "Decorate my face."

I remember both of them, kneeling on the floor, their little eyes peering into my face. "Really?" "We won't get in trouble?" I could see the wheels spinning. Sounded fun, but really? Write all over mom's face???

"Nope. You won't get in trouble. You get one side and Ben gets the other."

They started hesitantly at first. And the giggling began.

Unexpectedly - the doorbell rang. Really! I didn't want to get up, but I was sure that whoever was there had heard the boys laughing. So, I heaved myself up from the floor, went to the door, and proudly answered. OK - not so proud. A bit mortified. But I did answer it.

Our visitor was none other than the director of a mom's mentoring program I belonged to. We mentored teenage and single moms who needed help in the parenting arena. She took one look at me and laughed. "Well, I know you practice what you preach!" she replied once I explained the whole thing. 

A few minutes later, back on the floor, the boys continued their art project. That's where we were when Daddy got home from work.

Never has a headache been so much fun!

Somewhere in our ginormous pile of photos, there's a picture of the boys and me sitting on the stairs. Their faces radiate pride in their creation. I'm smiling, a genuine smile not diminished by a headache. When I find it, I will place it in our Memorial Box to remind me that God is creative and available in every moment!

Memorial Box Monday started at "A Place Called Simplicity." A friend of mine introduced me to it, and I love it! love it! love it!!! Memorial Box Monday provides an opportunity to remember all the good things God has done. Huge, gigantic things and little things that might seem insignificant. God's word is clear: "Cast every care on Me, for I care for you." (1 Peter 5:7).