STOP TELLING MOMS TO FIND MORE JESUS

We’ve all seen the articles. The ones that tell moms to just find more Jesus. That will solve all their problems. And as a Christian, I believe that you can’t have too much Jesus. BUT, these articles usually are in response to self-care talk. As if taking care of yourself is not Christian. What we really need to do is to stop telling moms to just find more Jesus. And moms that are taking care of special needs children are even more burned out. Before we can take care of others, we need to make sure we take care of ourselves.

The reality is that if you are running on empty, Jesus can restore your souls, but if you haven’t showered in 5 days, he is not going to get rid of that physical stench. Jesus expects you to shower. If you aren’t eating healthy, your body will be depleted of nutrients. Jesus expects you to eat healthy. And if you are tired, Jesus expects you to rest.

And before you argue that “more of Jesus,” instead of taking care of yourself, is biblical, it is also biblical for women to go on a vacation each and every month. In Bible times, women were sent out back to a tent during their monthly flow. That means they weren’t taking care of the house, and running children to piano lessons, and visiting the market. They were taking a rest, and they were with their sisters and girlfriends because we all know that your cycle gets synced with the women you are closest with. 

Maybe this is something you don’t have a problem with. Maybe you have achieved the perfect balance between God, yourself, your family, and your work. Congratulations. But if you are like me, you have taken far too long to learn how to take care of yourself. And your body is broken. You are tired and need to learn how to care for yourself. So what are the things you do to take care of you? I am slowly learning a handful of ways to “take care of me.” 

SIT AND LISTEN

This sounds like so non-productive, but sitting and listening allows you to clear your head. It allows you to hear God. So often we complain that God hasn’t answered a prayer, but it may be that He has tried and we just haven’t heard Him. By sitting still and being quiet, I can hear God’s voice much better than if I am always talking to Him. You cannot hear God’s voice without spending time in His Word.

SPEND TIME READING YOUR BIBLE

When you read the Words of God, you find out more about the one who created you. You are wonderfully and fearfully made, and when He created you, He did so with a purpose for your life. Find out more about Him, His purpose for you, and His plans for you by spending time in His Word.

HAVE A CUP OF COFFEE OR TEA ALONE

I love my morning coffee, but most days I make the coffee and take 2 sips. Often I find the almost full cup of coffee in some odd place hours later – COLD. I used to reheat the same cup of coffee several times in 1 day. And then I would be angry. Why can’t I have one cup of coffee when I first make it. But no one was stopping me. I was stopping myself with “I am too busy.” I simply sit and drink my cup of coffee. Many times I drink that coffee while I am reading my emails for the morning. And guess what? The world keeps spinning while I drink my coffee!

MORE WAYS TO TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF:

MAKE SURE TO GET ENOUGH SLEEP

MAKE SURE YOU ARE EATING HEALTHY

DRINK PLENTY OF WATER

MEET WITH A FRIEND THAT YOU CAN TRUST

GIVE YOURSELF A SPA DAY EVEN IF IT IS IN YOUR OWN BATHROOM

READ A GOOD BOOK, WORK A CROSSWORD PUZZLE, BROWSE THE BOOKSTORE

I have found that men rarely ask to spend time on themselves. Suddenly they have disappeared into their man cave, the bathroom or the garage. Women ask permission before taking care of themselves. Stop asking permission, and accept that God desires for you to take care of yourself. Sometimes it takes a little planning to find someone to watch the kids, but everyone needs to spend a little time on themselves. Stop feeling guilty about it.

Even Jesus spent time with God, rested, and took time to meet with friends. Mark 6:31 “Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat.”

For more ideas to take care of yourself, read my friend April’s post HERE!

Make sure to read more about how I celebrate me, HERE!