Glorious Body

I used to tell my friends that having 3 children was just nice for me but having 4 would be a challenge. Apparently, I knew exactly what I was talking about. Pregnancies aside, this year has been the toughest physically in my homemaking journey. I am running a routine that is almost humanly impossible. Joshua and I can really feel our bodies falling apart. 

He has always battled physical ailments such as obesity, IBS and sleep apnea while my body has always been weak against the common flu and cold viruses since young. This year, we have to also battle his worsening eczema throughout his body and my recurring back problems while sustaining a household of 4 young children with little help. Each child has his/her own challenges too. 

This year has been a constant call to God for supernatural strength. I survive each day purely by reciting the mantra that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I would have thrown in the towel if not for the hope that our suffering on earth is only temporal and the crown of glory awaits us. God assures us through His word that there is a purpose for our afflictions. As we watch our bodies deteriorate with age, we can only fix our eyes upon the day we will exchange this rotting body with one that will never experience decay for eternity. 

Many assure us that these days of chronic physical exhaustion of bringing up 4 little kids will soon pass us by. We also try to encourage each other by musing that things will probably be better in two years' time when the youngest will be almost three years of age. Yet, who is to say that there would not be new challenges ahead of us? Wouldn't our bodies face greater degeneration by then? I say, it is foolish to place our hope in this side of heaven. After all, this is not our permanent residence.

Philippians 3:20-21

"But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body."