Category: Eczema Devotional

I drew this cartoon because I realized that I was looking at all the children’s (and everyone!) skin – Marcie has eczema and I wonder how some babies and children have such smooth and perfect skin! It then occurred to me that very often when someone tells us about their achievement, say ‘I managed to lose 14kg in a year’ (which I did!) or ‘I just bought a new property’ or ‘I’m now promoted to be director of my department’, our first response is ‘Congrats, I’m so fat, or so poor, or going nowhere in my life!’. Does such response instinctively come from comparing ourselves with others and wishing that the good things happen to us?

I’m reminded always that the most subtle sin in the Ten Commandments in the bible is COVETOUS. It is subtle, yes. You have something? I wish I have too. Parents with eczema children may also have to make more sacrifice – fewer holidays because your leave is used on eczema flare-ups or not able to find an alternate caregiver, or less money as the expenses of caring eczema is taking up the budget. I pray that as we journey in life, we will have gratitude and not focus on what we do not have. Resentment and frustration builds when we focus and blame life (or our convenient spouse) for why we don’t get ‘things’ in life.

Bible verse:

Luke 12:15 : And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

Dear God, guard our heart against covetousness. Warn me when I have envy or jealousy. Alert me when I start to resent or blame someone for what I do not have. Teach me gratitude for what I have.

Be Careful NOT TO Covet

I recall that one article that caught my attention 3 years ago when I first started this blog was one of a mom’s call for help when nothing had worked for her child with severe eczema. After the publishing of the article on national (Singapore) paper, many came forward offering to buy what had worked for their child for this mom or sponsoring cash to defray the consultation and treatment cost of eczema. It is heart-warming to know that public (strangers) are so willing to help, and more so for parents who have been through caring for eczema children. I moderate on talkeczema forum daily, to provide support for those with eczema questions or struggles. And this devotional, is also an attempt to support you, the eczema online community.

In my own struggle, one community that had provided support is my bible study group. For those foreign to the concept of weekly bible study/fellowship, it is a response to the call in bible, one of which in Hebrews 10:24-26 ‘And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.’ None of the families in my bible study group had severe eczema, but all having gone through parenting, understand the demands on a first-time mom and provided prayer and practical support. One family brought their baby sling, another a cot and another a baby spring cot to see how my baby with eczema could sleep better. I do pray that we all have a source of support, from family, friends, fellowship group, online community, and God’s always with us.

Bible Verse:

1 Thessalonians 5:11 : Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

Dear God, thank You for being with us. I pray that we can be a source of support and encouragement, that stems from genuine care and love for families with eczema children. I pray that You direct all moms and dads to find a community that they can draw support and share their experiences. You know who needs support most at this stage of caring for their child, draw them close to You.

Contribute to a Community that Cares

It is the end of February, and for some of us, two months may already seem like a long year – factor in many sleepless nights (of tending to itchy or bleeding eczema) and many waking hours of constant stress and attention needed to care for a severe eczema baby. I always say that although eczema has turned out to be a blessing for my family, it is a trying condition that I won’t wish on anybody’s child. Medically, we are still some way from primary prevention (ie to prevent eczema in the newborn) and from treating the cause. Good thing is for most cases of eczema, current treatment methods do control eczema well. There are, however, still some children with persistent, severe eczema and I can’t imagine how deflated these parents feel when despite trying everything, nothing works – it is certainly trying!

Is it possible to have joy in a family with severe eczema baby? We can draw inspiration from apostle Paul who in prison undergoing trials (after trials), he wrote in Philippians 4 -6 ‘Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.’ I do pray that all eczema families can find joy and strength, and even if you do not believe in (Christian) God, praying as a family may give you hope and strength to tackle eczema with a positive attitude.

Bible verse:

Romans 12:12: Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

Dear God, I pray that you help our children’s eczema. If the eczema persist in being severe, I pray that as a family we can find the joy and strength to go through this trying time.

God Journeys with You

For the past week, it is the celebration of the Chinese (Lunar) New Year, and one of the highlights of this festival is the family reunion dinner. Families, including extended families, gather under one roof for dinner on the night before the 1^st of the lunar new year. It is indeed a blessing to be with family, and at times I wonder, if there are any strained relations that arose out of caring for our child with eczema. Did someone assume it was your fault for the eczema? Did someone shove a must-try miracle treatment to you?

Whatever the case, family is to be treasured and misunderstandings (of eczema and between family members!) are to be forgiven. Eczema (atopic dermatitis) is frequently misunderstood, with many confusing it with other rashes such as urticaria (hives) or contact dermatitis. I’m happy that whatever anyone said to me, I have not let it to fester in my heart. Partly, my child Marcie’s eczema is under control. I do pray for those families who are still struggling to have severe eczema under control, and continue to live with the stress of other’s comments, looks or criticism.

Bible Verse:

Mark 11:25 : And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.

Dear God, You know my heart and if there is any hatred, unhappiness in me toward my family over what they have said or done about my child’s eczema, teach me to forgive. Fill my heart with happiness and love toward them because I don’t want and don’t need to have negativity in my heart, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Forgive Others just as Our Father has Forgiven

Some days I worry what being a mom has turned me into – my to-do list seems to become my mantra, as I go about each day thinking about the chores that need to be done, on top of getting my child a bath, moisturized and calm (not itchy) for bedtime. My to-do list seems to take over my life on some evenings that are filled with chores, and I find myself barking commands to my husband and child ‘You have to clean up, You have to get ready for shower, You have to…’ (fill in your own list!)

Maybe there is a real need to get certain chores done, I certainly don’t want my child to go to preschool without her uniform!; or there may be some stuff that can be put off or eliminated; or they may all have to be done, but we can learn to ask for help nicely and look beyond the to-do list to remember that our family needs love and support. I do pray for all stressed out eczema families, that whatever to-do list you have, you remember to love each other. I know I have to pray loads to remember that!

Bible Verse:

Proverbs 12:25: Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.

Dear God, remind me to speak always calmly and lovingly. Gosh, you know the chores to be done and help me to get them done but always remind me that having a happy and calm home is more important than a clean and spotless one, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Our Words (Heart and Love) Matter more than Our Actions

Taking care of our baby with eczema consumes much time and energy – from starting the day tired due to the lack of sleep, to keeping our eyes on our baby lest there’s scratching (and we know seconds are all it take for them to scratch till bleeding!), to caring for our baby who is totally dependent on us. One thought that came to me is while a baby adds to the family, it may feel like I’m losing existing family members due to less time with them, more stress and strain that comes with caring for an eczema baby.

A child is a blessing and our daughter Marcie has certainly been one. It certainly wasn’t an easy journey, with many kinks that appear in my relationships with family which take years to smoothen, and strengthen. It is a daily challenge to love the people around us, and much more challenging when we are undergoing trials. I pray that while caring for your child with eczema, the love, joy and peace in your relationships with other family members will not weaken but strengthen.

Bible Verse:

Psalm 127:3-5: Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.

Dear God, I thank you for giving me this baby. You know the time and energy needed to care for her and you know how our relationships with my other family members change. I pray that you give me the wisdom and love to love my family, so that our family can grow not only in strength but in abounding love, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Children are a blessing from God to your family.

Many parents of eczema children will attest that sleeping through the night is Mission Impossible. In fact, many of us would be happy to have few hours of uninterrupted sleep, and to wake up without finding blood on our child’s bed sheet or body. Sleep deprivation robs our children (and us, moms and dads!) of much needed rest, which have repercussion on skin healing, weight gain and concentration. While we certainly try to help our eczema child sleep better, many parents struggle every night to keep the scratching off. Some days, I almost feel like the Little Einstein’s motto “We’re On a Mission” in my quest to have decent sleep.

God intended for all of us to sleep, He certainly made us such that we NEED to sleep! God possibly want us to sleep to remind us that we can rest in Him and trust Him to take care of our life – because while we need to sleep, God does not. I do pray that God will help your child to sleep well, without feeling itchy and scratching, so that you can sleep well knowing that Someone who doesn’t slumber is watching over your child.

Bible Verse:

Psalm 121:4 He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

Dear God, you know how many nights our family have gone without proper sleep. You understand our fatigue, helplessness and the strain sleep deprivation has created in our lives. God, please relieve my child from itch at night, keep the scratching away and let my family have peaceful sleep, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

The God who loves us does not sleep.

How often have we as parents of eczema children feel helpless? I remembered when taking care of my daughter Marcie was very difficult – days when I couldn’t leave her alone without restricting her hands in some manner to prevent scratching, nights when the whole cleaning, refreshing, changing pajamas, moisturizing routine had to be restarted at 3am. After half a year of trying days and nights, one night I was bawling and asking God – Help Me! Within a month from the bawling incident, Marcie visited a specialist at the National University Hospital’s children clinic and subsequently her eczema was very much in control.

Honestly, I do not know how my faith would have turned out if Marcie did not get better. I certainly do not take the credit for her improved eczema. Many of you reading this are not any less vigilant of skincare for our children than I am.  I look back and say Thank You to God that Marcie’s skin improved markedly after an oral steroid course, for I know that not all children get better after oral medication. I’m reminded that Jesus loves His children, especially the little ones. I pray that your child’s eczema will get better, and that you have Somebody to love you while you love your child.

Bible Verse

Matthew 19:14: Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

Dear God, please help my child; relieve him of the itch, the pain, the distress, the cries for help. Please help me; help me to keep a strong body, mind and heart and love me, so that my love can pour out to my child and my family, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Jesus loves His children, and that’s you and your child.