Just Relax

I've always enjoyed being pampered. I whole heartedly believe that we should take time for ourselves to renew and refresh. We need time each day to renew our minds in Christ and let Him fill us afresh with His strength and anointing to accomplish our tasks for the day and to be able to touch other's lives as we go about our daily business. That's where we grow in knowledge and in intimacy with our Father. We need time each week to renew and refresh our bodies with exercise…yes…I said exercise…so that we can be healthy and energized to do the work God has for us. We need time each day with our spouse and children to keep our relationships fresh and growing, to protect them from slipping away. We need to take time each week with our church family so that the body of Christ is growing stronger. If one member of your body tries to make it on its own without strength from the rest of the body…it will grow weak and eventually die. Most importantly, we need time for ourselves on a regular basis doing something that relaxes us and refreshes us. It can be as simple as lighting candles, turning on some soothing music and reading a book or taking a long hot bath…but do something just for you that is relaxing!

That may sound selfish to some, but I want you to take a minute to think about this. When my boys were younger and I would be having a bad day and at my wit's end, I would play the piano. Oh, how it would sooth my soul and calm my nerves to let something soft and sweet pour over me. The nerves that would be jittering within me would slowly relax and I would be able to feel at peace once again when I would let my fingers take me away to a place of rest. Then I could face two rambunctious boys with more clarity of mind. Hiking is a great release for me….to be out in nature where it's just me and God and I can tell Him about everything that is on my mind. Running is a great time to let all my frustrations and anger about situations run wild and be released along with the endorphins when I feel too tired to keep going. Crocheting is a time when I can let the solutions to my problems take shape as I take a piece of yarn and let my creative juices flow in turning it into something beautiful. We don't need to get to a point of selfishness with our time, but we need to not forget ourselves. We can get so busy pouring out our lives to others that there isn't anything being poured back into us.

When we take time to refresh, we are better prepared to be the servant God has called us to be. If we cannot love ourselves….if we cannot show kindness to ourselves…how can we show love and kindness to others? If we are tired and weary and frustrated, we cannot be the wife, the mother, the friend, the witness we are meant to be. Several times in the Gospels we see that Jesus drew away from the crowds to be by Himself. Even our Savior needed a time of refreshing and renewing in order to do the work He was called to do.

My husband can always tell when I'm starting to get frazzled. He can tell when my “busyness” is starting to get to me. The first thing he starts suggesting is that it's time to go get my nails done. When he starts suggesting that, I know I must be showing signs of frustration. Getting my nails done may not be drawing away by myself. After all, I usually have them done in a noisy, busy mall. But, there's something about sitting there for 45 minutes or so and letting someone wait on me that's very relaxing. I feel like I'm doing something special for myself and I love how I feel when my nails are freshly done. I feel refreshed and pampered and then I'm ready to do something special for my husband or children or a friend to help them feel special as well.

If you will take time to refresh and renew, you will be better prepared to give and to serve.

His Princess

Love Letters From Your King

By Sheri Rose Shepherd

My Princess….

You need rest

Then Jesus said, “Come to Me

All of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens,

And I will give you rest.”

Matthew 11:28

I know you often grow weary. I hear your heartfelt cry for more energy to make it through each day. You, My tired princess, must trust Me with all your many worries and responsibilities. Rest when I tell you to. I am your heavenly Father, and I know what My girl needs. So listen to the One who loves you the most and knows all about you. I want you to take a step of faith by setting aside a day each week to rest from all your work. If you will obey Me in this, I will multiply your time and supernaturally energize your efforts to get everything done in the following days. Welcome this opportunity to give your mind, body, and spirit a rest. Consider it My love gift to you, and relax in Me!

Love,

Your King and your Resting Place

Contact Michele at: www.princess_2_princess_4_god@yahoo.com