Hospitals are no fun, no matter how funny Scrubs is.

So, I promised two weeks ago to have some suggestions about how to survive the "tired thirties" and/or how to minister to those in the midst of it. But after the week we’ve had at our house my only advice right now is…..

don’t let your husband get viral meningitis. or any kind of meningitis for that matter. 

So, I promised two weeks ago to have some suggestions about how to survive the "tired thirties" and/or how to minister to those in the midst of it. But after the week we’ve had at our house my only advice right now is…..

don’t let your husband get viral meningitis. or any kind of meningitis for that matter. 

Darren started getting a headache Tuesday night, came home from work sick Weds morning, went to the ER Weds night, was sent home with narcotics for the pain, went to the doctor Friday morning, back to the ER and admitted to the hospital. No medicine, however strong, would ease the pain in his head and neck, he couldn’t hold anything down, and he was absolutely MISERABLE. (As I write this, it’s Sat night and he’s feeling better, I think he’ll go home tomorrow, but I don’t know if I’ll have a chance to update.) The good news is he’s going to be fine. Viral meningitis is not deadly like bacterial meningitis nor does it have any lasting negative effects on the body. The bad news is there is no medicine to stop the virus, so you just have to fight it off and manage the symptoms. 

Over the last few days, I’ve shuttled myself back and forth between home and hospital and focused both on taking care of Darren and making sure my children are taken care of somewhere by someone (no family in town until today) AND fully felt the emotional tug of war between those two things. I’ve tried to do some of my regular chores at home (laundry) and some of Darren’s (dogs, trash, dishes). The kids have missed bedtimes with Daddy, and my sweet sensitive 6 year old boy has really had a hard time. 

But, I have by no means been alone. I’ve had friends help with my kids (overnight!) at a moment’s notice, bring me suppers and strawberry lemonade, organize meals for the next week, go buy pillows for my guest bedroom since my inlaws were on their way, and rescue my daughter’s favorite Teddy Bear she had left at school (she could survive a night without Daddy, but not without Daddy AND without Nicolai the bear–I mean seriously you can only ask a little girl to handle so much). Honestly there are still some people that I haven’t had to call yet, and several who’ve offered help in some area and I’ve had to say "Thanks, someone’s already doing that." 

So here’s my point: I know that "community" is such a buzz word these days, but I really think its one of the most important things you can develop in whatever ministry your leading. What my church does was worked well ( we do "geographic community"–sunday school classes and small groups comprised of people who live close to one another), but just find something that works, go with it and watch people take care of each other. Regular life is hard enough on your own, but when you throw in hospitals and meningitis, or cancer, or death……well, that’s just impossible to handle alone.

So I promise, next time more of my ideas on surviving the "tired thirties." For now I need to go get some rest!