II Cor. 6: 5

"In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings." II Cor. 6:5

Well, in my "ministering" to my family, one thing I haven't had to endure is physical stripes, but I know some women do. The word "stripes" means "a stroke; by impl. a WOUND.." Now I guess I have had some of those...emotional ones, you know.

"Imprisonments"....Ah, yes, my illness is indeed a "prison". I have often thought of it in this way...for I am restricted by what I can eat and where I can go...which is not much of anywhere, although things are "less restrictive" than they use to be. One of the hardest "restrictions" for me in not being able to always be with my children. There are other "prisons" I've had to endure with this illness as well. I have even been confined to my own room at times.

Tumults" means "instability, i.e. disorder; commotion, confusion." Been there, done that... plenty! With a son with ADHD, with a family that finds it difficult to keep an eating/sleeping schedule, with over 20 moves in 26 years of marriage! Yes, there's been confusion...

In labours.....Ah, yes, as mothers we have plenty of that, huh? Working day to day taking care of these kids, homeschooling them, cleaning house, etc....and giving birth! I've had 8 labours in that way! :)

"Watchings"...Moms do this from the time a little one comes in the world. I remember being up many hours "watching" over my babies....and of course it doesn't stop. Sometimes the biggest "watchings" are watchings over the teens, right? :)

"Fastings"...My whole diet is one in which many would calling "fasting". Ha! And of course I have also prayed and "fasted" in different ways many times for the spiritual welfare of my family.

You know, maybe my "ministry" isn't that much different from Paul's after all! :)