Be prepared in season and out of season ...
2 Timothy 4:2
My best friend received a call from her sister earlier today, crying. She was in the neighborhood visiting the grave of her daughter who recently passed. It’s especially hard on her sister since Mother’s Day is right around the corner. Anyway, I thought about it as my BFF ran out the door with her wallet and keys in tow … she dropped everything to be there for her sister. She was ready in season and out of season.
I put together a few tidbit wisdoms about resting and taking care of yourself, ‘cause you never know when YOU will be needed:
- To maintain balance in your life, you have to learn how to say no sometimes. You’re the one making your schedule. Don’t overcommit and if you or your children’s plate is too full … streamline.
- Everyone needs a break at times to recharge their batteries, you ARE NOT a superhero.
- Get 6-8 hours of sleep every night that you can (ensuring that you’re asleep between 10 pm – 2 am when healing hormones are produced) you’re not much good to anyone exhausted all the time.
- You and your children DO NOT have to be involved in every activity that there is at work/school.
- Take a few minutes out of your schedule each day to relax.
- When you see the opportunity, take it … have a lunch break, read the paper, stop for a coffee, just sit on the couch for a minute. It’s okay to take a minute, put your feet up and relax in God’s presence. Take a breath. Pray. Do nothing.
- Worry doesn't empty you of tomorrow's problems, but it will empty you of the strength for today.
- Take a short drive, it can clear your mind.
- Try doing the chores at home as a family unit as much as possible. Many hands make the work lighter and the time passes by quicker.
- Find a scripture in the Word of God, and just meditate on it. Allow the Lord to minister to your spirit through it.
- 10 minute power naps are REALLY awesome.
- If you want to be able to care for your loved ones, you’re going to have to start taking good care of yourself to have energy and strength.
- Go outside. Slow down just a moment to enjoy the shade, the refreshment of a cool breeze, the song of a bird or the gentle scent of flowers on the wind. The Lord will cause us to lie down in green pastures and lead us beside the still waters (Psalm 23:2) if we don’t do it ourselves because He cares for us. He wants us to slow down enough to listen. To hear His voice. To feel His love.
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.] Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls. For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good—not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne. Matthew 11:28-30
Be ready in season and out - you don't want to be past exhaustion or sick from not taking care of yourself - you can’t see the opportunities that may be just around the corner.
Father, we come to You and ask that You give us true rest in Your presence. Refresh and revive us. Help us to know what to do and what not to do and give us the strength and grace to do it. Help us to be ready for whatever You have in store for us. In Jesus’ name, amen.
see also: The Enemy of Busyness http://answerfortheailing.blogspot.com/2012/07/the-enemy-of-busyness.html