Poison oak

It was one of those warm sunny days where as a homeschool mom, I didn't find time to work outside until late in the evening towards dark.  What joy it was cleaning up a flower bed even thought it was a small one. Most of the perennials had been moved to the top of the hill last year so tidying up the bed should have been easy. But it wasn't.

A fence separates the short flower garden from a pasture and years of neglect have caused all kinds of prickly briars and vines to grow plus it's beside a small patch of woods. Some of those bushes yield wild blackberries later on in the summer. 

But those vines were the pesky crawly plant, poison oak. With me working at dusk, I wasn't looking for poison and the roots and in case you don't know you can most certainly still get poison ivy or oak in the winter when you think the plant looks dead or dormant and in spring when the leaves are still young. Most of the twigs and vines I was yanking out were prickly and several poked my skin through my rubber gloves. I did notice I had pulled out one creeping vine. But I dismissed it.

Generally after I'm done working with poison oak vines, I'll rinse off my arms and legs with a mild solution of clorox and water as most of the oils wash off. This time it never entered my mind to do that!

And I'm living to regret it! A couple days later, I had a huge rash.

Recently my Mom told me about Chickweed Salve and I just happened to find some at a local market a couple days before getting poison. I had wanted some on hand. So I've been applying that plus rubbing alcohol.

Today was the worst of my itch. The rash is all over my legs, arms, stomach, and a few other unmentional areas. Of course, evenings are the worst right after a shower when you tend to be warmer than usual. I like to cool down with cold water when I've got poison, but tonight that didn't seem to help a bit. I am so itchy!!!

Merv also has a patch on his face making his eyes puffy and swollen. Just this morning he broke out on his hands.

Looking back, I think I may have spread the oils when I used a washcloth. I've never had it this bad.

Top the fierce itch off with drinking coffee a bit too late in the day - shortly past noon and my body feels like a wreck. Coffee usually doesn't affect me this much yet I now know that it's the brand that has something to do with it - Gevalia. I really like Gevalia coffee, but it's one culprit to keep me awake if I drink it too late in the day. Do you think it dawned on me when I made my decision to prepare it? no

Thinking of coffee reminds me of the time I served it to our friends. I had warned them about Gevalia being strong yet very good but they were OK with drinking regular coffee for supper as it 'never' keeps them awake. Still they paid the price for drinking Gevalia coffee as it kept them awake until 3:00 AM. We shared a laugh later on, but at the time it was no fun for them trying to sleep when you see all hours of the night.

That's why I'm sitting here at this ridiculous hour. Top that off with restless leg syndrome and my body is about to thrash about in fidgety fits. This is insane.

And that's when it's time to call on the Lord. Foolish me, I should have thought about that first. When I face things at night where I can't sleep, then it's time to pray for my friends. So I want you to know that I have prayed for you tonight.

I pray for Naomi, Michelle, and Angie who have lost their infant babies. Yet there are many others and I lift them up to Jesus that they can bear this pain of losing a child. I know you're hurting.

I think of orphans so lonely longing for a Daddy and a Mommy who will love them forever.

I think of children who are abused and hurt so bad by men who are filled with extreme lust and iniquity. My heart cries out for them and screams at the terrible injustice to the innocent. Jesus loves the children and I know it hurts Him to see the young being offended. The culture today doesn't value children the way Jesus does. The disciples wanted to send them away, but Jesus wanted them to come.

There are so many people to pray for: churches splitting because of members fighting and arguing over petty issues all because they are not filled with Jesus who wants us to LOVE everyone and submit to each other. These people need a total heart change. When that happens, it will show up in their lives. They will respond differently. Jesus needs to be in charge instead of the "I" in PRIDE.

It's a little like the rash I have. People have a hurt, bitterness, unforgiveness, or immoral sin from their past they never dealt with. But instead of taking that venom to Jesus, they rub it on everyone else trying to cover it up. It makes people itch and rub shoulders the wrong way that they end up with HUGE differences, all because they didn't apply the healing oil of the blood of Jesus Christ. And sad to say, I've heard of churches splitting because they couldn't agree on the color of carpet.

I say people need JESUS. There's so many lost souls. Rather than fighting, we need to be busy telling others about the Savior.

When you have Him in every part of your life, it bubbles over and your complexion and life so radiates that others want to know what makes you so happy! I used to live with bitterness. Amazingly, the miracle is now that I can look at disgruntled, mean people and look at them with compassion that only Jesus can give, to the glory of God. My life is so very different from what it used to be. That what Jesus does - He totally changes us into new creatures.

I think of Jesus who suffered so much at the crucifixtion. He left the wonderful glorious realm of heaven to this perverted and sinsick world because of one thing, He LOVES YOU with an indescribable love. He gave His life for you. Too many times we as people hammer those nails in His dear and loving hands.

He was wounded for my transgression. He was bruised for my iniquities. The chastisement of my peace was upon Him and with His stripes I am healed. Isaiah 53

Just thinking of my dear Lord has put me to such rest. Thank you Lord for healing my body.

You give me songs in the night. You are worthy of all glory and praise.