I have been so incredibly blessed by the “Living the Surrendered Life” devotional as a part of #SheReadsTruth. Every single day, this devotional speaks to me and challenges me. Yesterday’s devotion about mercy about knocked me over. I haven’t ever been much of a grudge holder, but I do struggle in some areas with showing mercy and grace to people that hurt me. But if I stop and think about someone’s intentions, my feelings change. Because I truly don’t think that people set out to hurt or disappoint others. If you haven’t read yesterday’s entry yet, I encourage you to get on that! If God can show me mercy every single day, can’t I show it to the people in my life?
Moving right along…
This morning, the devotion is about taking care of ourselves. The fuel that we need for our bodies, our minds, our hearts, our spirituality, our mental well-being. It’s the brain fuel and the physical fuel. The emotional and spiritual fuel.
It’s so hard to always be putting so many people and responsibilities ahead of our simplest needs. Because our needs are pretty simple, right? It may just be the need to get a shower and put on makeup every day.
And if those needs aren’t met, I know that after a few days I start to shut down. Things don’t get done. I want to go to bed as soon as the kids go to bed because I’m just wiped out. I become overwhelmed. When I don’t take the time (or make the time) to take care of myself in the ways that I need it, it gets harder and harder for me to take care of my people. And all I really ever want is to take care of my people and give them the very best of me.
So, in today’s #SheReadsTruth, we’re asked to spend some time making a plan of how we’ll take care of our needs so we can better take care of the needs of our people.
So what are my needs? What fuel do I need? Besides coffee, of course.
- Exercise. I feel better when I exercise. I don’t love doing it, but I go to bed feeling better physically and feeling better about myself.
- Quiet time with the Lord. I really just need fifteen quiet minutes alone.
- A good meal with my family every night. And this requires me building in the time to get that done for me and for them.
- Outside time with my family. Even if we just go on a walk.
- An opportunity to write every day.
I always feel better when my whole to-do list gets done, but I know that’s not always possible. But my fuel is so important to my daily mental and physical health. I need time with the Lord. I need exercise. I feel better when I know I’ve fed my family well. We all feel better when we’ve been outside and I prefer if we all do it together before my kids are old enough not to want to spend time with me.
And I need to write. I feel better when I write and I feel like my day was incomplete if I go to bed without writing.
It’s not always possible to take care of all of my “fuel” before I take care of my people. But I try to do some of it. Because if the whole day goes by and I haven’t taken any time to take care of myself, I just feel completely wiped out and lost.
What fuels you every day?
I will have to read this today. Never heard of it before! I agree, it’s hard to take of our families without taking care of ourselves. Before kids, exercising was low on my priority list. Two kids later, it is more important than ever because it gives me energy and provides me with a much needed respite from life as a busy Mama. Hope you are able to meet all your needs today, Erin!
Exercise is a biggie for me. I’ve been getting up early every morning so I can get it done before Landon wakes up. It makes me feel and look good and I feel guilty and gross when I don’t do it. I also need quiet time every day to do whatever I want. I dread the day when Landon stops napping because then I won’t get that time anymore (and by the time he’s in preschool we will be having another baby). Just having an hour to paint my nails, watch some TV, play on the internet, etc. makes a huge difference in my attitude. I’ve always been someone that needs their alone time.
This is such a thoughtful post! I feel best when I exercise in the morning and have some quiet time with a smooth morning and dinner with my husband at night. When those three things happen, I am so much calmer and happier.
Such an inspiring post Erin, you really hit the nail on the head with what makes us tick as Mother’s. I feel exactly as you out it, lost if I don’t get at least one of my personal to-do list items done throughout the day.
I just joined this plan! My days are so much better and more productive, and like you, I can be better for my family when I’ve taken care of myself. I feel good when I’ve gone for a run, exercised, taken care of everyday things like making the bed and emptying the dishwasher, and thought ahead to what tomorrow holds.
I am loving this devotional series too. I feel like every single day has been exactly what I needed to hear. When I read today’s I felt like it was prepping me for what’s to come in the next few weeks as we prepare to welcome baby #2. I know life is about to get crazy, but I still need to take time for myself so I can also care for my family!
I find fuel mostly from reading and it doesn’t really matter what I’m reading, as long as it’s something I enjoy. And, yes, your blog is something I truly enjoy reading so thanks for fueling me up!
p.s. I’d love to hear how you’ve enjoyed that planner you were going crazy for last year. I know it was a new one for you after years with the MomAgenda, so please let me know how you liked it and if you will be re-ordering one for 2013.
So interesting. I’ve been being treated for postpartum depression since a few months after the birth of my twin boys. Recently my therapist had me think about and write a list of 5 things that I need every day in order to take better care of myself and therefore better care of my family. And 4 of my 5 things were the exact same things as yours. I think they’re actually pretty common things that can make a woman better. None of them are too much to ask, but as a Mom, it’s often time to make them a priority. Best wishes for your journey!
I need time before everyone gets up to just have peace and quiet. I do my quiet time, surf the Internet, blog, whatever. I also need running time at the end of the day to clear my head. It reminds me of who I am since I tend to get bogged down in some of the other things. Thanks again for posting this. It’s a great reminder 🙂
Love this! And what a neat website, She Reads Truth. Definitely going to add that to the list! I’m so bad about taking care of myself sometimes, I have started waking up earlier recently which has been so nice, it’s my most productive time of day now! Thanks for sharing.
this is a huge issue for me since getting married. getting the balance right is something i’m still struggling with…especially when i’m i go though periods of being super busy with freelance work. like right now. i know i need to exercise (and that it would ultimately help me feel more energized), but i have so little down time (i’m working 15 hour days right now) that when i do, i collapse and take a quick nap.
the only thing i’m doing consistently is picking out a really cute outfit every day. it may seem odd, but it’s something i can do in 10-15 minutes and which then benefits me throughout the day. i feel more confident knowing that at least i look decent – wherever my day takes me.
i’m also trying to eat well and stay hydrated and to get even a few minutes of relaxation in.
when things slow down, i’ll expand and modify my “fuel’ list. thanks for the reminder that this is very, VERY important.