Helplessness

Today, I had a friend cry because she felt so helpless; her daughter is gravely ill and there is little she can do but pray and be there by her daughter's side. In normal circumstances these would be just fine but there are times as mothers that we feel so compelled to do more and yet cannot. It is so difficult to watch someone that is a part of become so ill. We place our faith and trust in the doctors and the Lord ( not necessarily in that order) yet we want to do so much more. This is where we feel so helpless and frustrated that it seems all we can do is cry and worry. We know that the brave faces and the encouraging words help yet they are not enough.
Her feelings were so familiar to me and I too felt helpless when all I could do was hug her and pray for all of them.
As a mother one has a sense that they need to make things better for their children, especially when they are ill. We kiss their boo-boos, soothe their fears, hold them extra tight when they are feeling ill, and pray that they are feeling better soon. Sadly though as they get older or become ill beyond the everyday viruses we can become redendered alomost powerless. This is not a feeeling anyone likes to have especially a mother when it comes to her children.
When we face the possibilty that the child might leave this world these feeling become even more pronounced. It does seem natural that a parent outlie their child even if that child is now an adult and has children of their own. The fears and heartache seems so painful that you feel like you are dying also. The tears flow and the hands begin to ache from the continuous wringing. It seems the mind takes over and the fears and planning that you do not want to phantom take over.
My heart aches for them all and anyone that has ex perienced this tragedy. I am still hanging onto the hope that all will work out as I am sure my firend is. It seems like when someone is going through this situation the helplessness spreads. I am praying and placing my trust and faith where it needs to be- with the Lord.