It was the middle of the night and the sounds from the monitor told me that Mom C. was having trouble sleeping due to her incessant coughing. Throwing back the covers, I slipped into my robe and made my way to the kitchen where I poured two teaspoons of Robitussin into the cup that accompanied the syrup. As I stood beside Mom’s bed, she looked at me and asked, “What’s that?!” She knew what it was – the worst tasting medicine she takes. I told her it was her cough medicine.
“That stuff tastes HORRIBLE!”
“I know, but it’s the only thing that will help your cough. You need this. It will be good for you.”
“I hate that stuff!”
“I’m sorry, Mom, I’m not trying to hurt you. I’m trying to help you.”
She took the medicine, albeit with a scowl on her face. Her coughing quieted and I returned to my bed where sleep eventually came. It was the next morning when I was recalling the previous night’s events that the Lord used that picture to teach me a lesson I needed to learn. His voice in my heart spoke these words,
What I’m doing in your life right now doesn’t taste good, but I’m not doing this to hurt you. You need this. It will help you, just like the cough medicine helped RuthAnn. Stop scowling. Don’t argue with me. Take it from my loving hand. I know what is best for you.
Matthew 7:11 says, If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
Women are caregivers – whether it’s little children, our parents, or even a pet, we know how to take care of others and nurture them; to give them “good things.” We often fail, however, at being the recipient of care from our Father’s hand. We balk, We shake our heads. We scowl. But we need to be reminded that our God is not doing whatever ill-tasting thing is going on in our life to hurt us. He knows we need it. He knows what is best for us. He takes better care of us than we could ever think about doing for someone else. Indeed, He cares for you. I Peter 5:7
What “medicine” has the Lord put into your cup? Look into His face and remember that He loves you. He knows what He’s doing, and it will be good for you – if not immediately, in the future.
Drink it – and then tell Him “thank you.”
With love,
RefreshHer 
Having been where you are with loved ones, I know you will never regret being there to minister to your loved one. There are long nights, times of crying out to the Lord for wisdom and strength, and yet wonderful quiet moments to bask in His love. It is not an easy path, but there is 'the peace that passeth all understanding'. Praying for comfort, strength to care for both Mrs. Cunningham and your husband. It will be worth it all.
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Indeed it will! Thank you, Vicki.
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