Tuesday, January 24, 2012

The Coughing Cure

Completely unrelated picture of Macy helping me make cookies today

If there is one thing I know, it is that prayer works. I didn't know that when I was younger. I believed it, but it wasn't until I became a mother that I truly understood the power of prayer. And to anyone who claims not to believe in God, I can only assume that they have never been on their knees pleading for the health or safety of a child.

Some of my experiences with prayer are private and personal, but others I feel OK about sharing. One of the stories that my children like to ask me tell them is about the time we moved from Wyoming to Oklahoma. Samm was just 2 and James was 6 months. On the day of our move, my husband Josh  loaded up in the moving truck with Samm while James and I got in our little cirrus to drive behind them. It was June, which in Wyoming is not very hot, but it was warm enough to need the air conditioning. About 10 minutes into our trip though I realized the air was not getting colder, and James and I were going to be spending a very long day without AC. 

The first few hours were tolerable, but the longer the day went on and the more south we went the hotter it got, and by midday it was so hot that I had James stripped down to his diaper and I would reach back and sprinkle water on his head periodically to cool him down. Even then we were both getting really cranky and I knew there was no way we were going to make it until the sun went down.  And since stopping to get the AC fixed was not an option I started to pray. The sky was completely blue and clear, but I prayed that if there were any clouds possible in the forecast for that day, that they would come. 

Ten minutes later, the sky was completely covered with clouds, and it was the sweetest relief! 

Not all of my prayers end in miracles, and I can honestly say that on that day, clouds were a miracle. But last  night I was reminded again that God really does hear my prayers and he does care about me. Even when its something as insignificant and small as helping me to fall asleep.

I've had a pretty bad cough all week and lately it seems like anytime I get sick, a breast infection follows, and sure enough yesterday afternoon I could tell I was getting another one. Fortunately, my husband was home and was able to quickly write me a prescription for antibiotics so it never got horribly bad. When I finally got Laila down for the night though at 9:30 I was pretty worn out and tired. I couldn't stop coughing long enough to fall asleep though. I took some cough medicine and tried putting a cough drop in my mouth, but nothing worked so I prayed for help. I didn't pray for a miracle, just for help, and as I layed down the thought came into my mind "put Vicks on your feet."

OK, I know you probably think I've gone crazy, but hear me out.  A few years years ago my sister-in-law Melissa posted an article on her blog about how putting Vicks on the bottom of your feet can actually help with a cough. I can't remember why they said it worked or even if they knew why, but occasionally when my kids have been sick I've rubbed some on their feet and then put socks on them and it really seemed to help.

So, I'm going to be completely honest, I didn't jump right out of bed as soon as I had the thought. I had my doubts, and I really didn't want to get back up, but after laying there for a minute I decided I better do it. So, I grabbed the Vicks and a pair of socks (you don't want to get Vicks all over your sheets) and you know what, my coughing stopped almost immediately, and I fell asleep. And when Laila woke up at 3:00am to eat and I started coughing again, I put on some more and fell asleep again.

Some people might say it was just a coincidence. That I was just remembering that article. But I know it was more than that. Prayer works!

And for some odd reason, so does putting Vicks on the bottom of your feet. 



3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm also a very firm believer in the power of prayer. I am glad you listened to that still small voice that said "Vicks". I want to also say that I am so proud to have you as a daughter-in-law and that I love you as my own.

Jenn said...

Chris's grandma is convinced that Vicks on the feet is the cure for a cough as well. I haven't tried it but I think I just might have to grab some Vicks next time I'm at the store just in case. The power of prayer is amazing!

Athan@How to Stop a Cough said...

Drink plenty of fluids. A very helpful technique on how to stop coughing is to keep your throat damp with liquid. If you have cold or cough, make sure you ingest a lot of orange juice. It is an affluent resource of vitamin C which strengthens the immune system.

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