Tanya opened the cabinet to grab a container for the leftovers and stared at the row of pill bottles. Her mother came up behind her. “What’s wrong?”

“Are you taking all of these vitamins?”

Barbara nodded. “I am. I have a good reason for every one of them. I have to take them, or else I’ll have all sorts of ailments.”

“Seriously?”

Barbara pointed to each bottle in turn. “I don’t get a lot of sunlight, so Vitamin D is for strengthening my bones. Vitamin C is to help fight sickness, B is for energy,  Magnesium is to help me sleep…”

Tanya held up a hand. “I get it, Mom. I just had no idea you were taking so many vitamins.”

Barbara took the container from Tanya’s hands and moved to scoop the leftovers into it. “When you get to my age, things start to wear out and slow down. I take all these vitamins to help me stay young longer. You’ll understand someday.”

“I guess.” But something about it didn’t sit right with Tanya. Sure, it was helpful to get vitamins, but it seemed like Mom felt dependent on them. When Mom moved to the other room to let Rascal outside, Tanya took a quick picture of the row of bottles, with a plan to research them.

When she got home, she did exactly that. She read articles on each vitamin her mother was taking. Some of the vitamins were fine to take every day, but some of them built up in the body and could cause problems. Still others interacted with each other. Did she even need to take vitamins if she had a good diet? Tanya sent off a quick text to her cousin, who was a doctor.

Mom is taking a boatload of vitamins. Do you think that’s a good idea? She eats lots of fruits and vegetables.

A few minutes later, the reply came.

At her age, the body doesn’t absorb or produce nutrients as well anymore. Calcium and Vitamin D are a must, and probably a multivitamin, too. She feeling OK?

Tanya read the text, grateful to have a doctor in the family.

She feels good – thanks.

Tanya \ considered what her mom had said. What was it that bothered her? Oh, right. Mom had said she had to take them all or else she’d have a bunch of ailments. Maybe that was the problem. Mom was depending on all the vitamins instead of trusting in God. Taking vitamins was fine, and probably a good idea, like her cousin said, but not for fixing anything. Vitamins could support a healthy body, but what if she was depending on them rather than God?
Inspiration struck, and she set to work on a project for Mom.

The next week, she visited again, and while Mom was in the bathroom, she set her plan in motion.

~*~

Sunday morning, Barbara buttered her toast and set her mug of coffee on the table. After finishing breakfast, she pulled all her vitamin bottles from the cabinet to take her daily doses. She opened the calcium bottle and pulled out a slip of paper. What on earth? She read the paper and smiled.

Calcium keeps bones strong. Just as bones hold us upright, God’s wisdom and presence give structure to our lives. He is the foundation that holds us steady. Psalm 18:2 says “The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”

Oh, Tanya. What a clever daughter she had. Did she do this for all the vitamins? Barbara opened the next bottle.

Vitamin D strengthens bones. Isaiah 41:10 says “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

She opened each of the bottles in turn.

Vitamin C helps the body fight sickness and helps heal wounds. God is our healer and our protector. Psalm 147: 3 says “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”

B vitamins support energy, focus, and a healtyh nervous system. When we are drained, God renews our strength. Isaiah 40:29 says “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.”

Vitamin E is an antioxidant that shields cells from damage. God is our refuge and our defender. Psalm 91:4 says “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”

Magnesium helps you sleep, reduces tension, and helps regulate stress. God gives us the peace that passes understanding. Philippians 4:7 says “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Zinc boosts the immune system and helps the body heal wounds. God strengthens us and helps us do things we could never do on our own. Psalm 46:1 says “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

Barbara sat at the kitchen table with the slips of paper laid out in front of her. She read each of the verses again, and a weight began to lift from her shoulders. Everyone got older. Everyone’s body changed. She certainly wasn’t the first person to worry about what her later years would look like. Sure, it was good for her to take a few vitamins to ensure her body got what it needed, but the vitamins weren’t a magic bullet to keep her from aging. What she needed more than anything was to nourish her body with God’s word. He’d give her the wisdom, the strength, and the peace she needed to get through each day.

She sent up a silent prayer thanking God for the wisdom of her daughter. She taped the verses to the outside of the pill bottles, so she’d read the verses every time she reached for a pill. And after that, she sent a text to Tanya.

Thanks for all your notes. You’ve given me a lot to think about. I’m so blessed to have such a wise daughter.

A few moments later, Tanya’s reply came.

You don’t need every supplement on the shelf, only what will strengthen, restore, and protect your body. And God will take care of your soul. He’ll give you exactly what you need for each day. He’s a true multivitamin.

God, thank you for giving us access to the medicines we need to make our bodies stronger. And while we may need a little pharmaceutical assistance as we age, help us always remember You are our strength and our comfort. In Jesus’ name, Amen.