A Me Day To Remember

My mom called me this morning wanting to stop by for a quick visit. As soon I heard her say that, I pounced like a hungry tiger! I asked if she minded staying while I went out. I needed a mental health day.

Before she got to our place I purposed one thing I would not do. I would not rush out of the house when she arrived. Instead of running out the door as quick as possible, in case she "changed her mind ", I lingered. I lingered not for the purpose of chatting with my mom. I lingered to make sure I took time to take care of me.

One of the things God has been challenging me on is my lack of self care. I mentally say things to myself like "Oh I wish I had time to put on lotion or make up before we go. " And lately I've been hearing God say "Well why don't you? " What? "Uhm excuse me God. I have 3 kids and we're going to be late for church." To my objection God counters back, "Then be late. " Gasp! Gulp! Silence. God's been showing me I need to make me a priority. I can't keep trying to pour out of an empty vessel. If putting on lotion or make up helps fill up my tank, then it's important and deserves a place of priority.

Too many times I've left my house so embarrassed by my appearance because I didn't feel prioritizing my appearance was OK. Now I'm trying to get in and out of places before I'm noticed. I'm praying not to run into anyone I know. My confidence dives each minute I'm exposed in this store. Is this how God wants or intended me to live?

As moms we're great at giving pep talks to other down trodden moms. In a way our assurances are valid, but in another way it doesn't always alleviate our very valid feelings. I feel bad because I look bad. I look bad because I didn't take time for me. I didn't take time for me because I didn't think I was worth taking time for. That's the core of the issue God's been getting on me about. I have allowed being a mom to devalue my self worth like it's some right of passage.

Before I was a mom, I was Rena, but I don't cease being Rena because a new title was added. If putting on make up helps Rena feel good, in turn helping boost my confidence, demeanor, and attitude, then Rena should do it.

Don't misunderstand. It's not the item that gets highlighted ie. makeup, but the idea behind that item. It's me taking care of me because I'm worth taking care of. I refill my well by taking care of myself.

1 Corinthians 6 talks about us being the temple of the Holy Spirit. We often think just in terms of abstaining from sin as taking care of our temples. However, neglect for our mental and physical health, also damages our temple. I am in no way perfect in this area. I have weight I need to lose and other real health concerns but, I proudly sport my work in progress shirt. Progress not perfection.

What that self care item for you may not be the same as mine. That is between you and God. Currently as I write this, I'm at one of my favorite coffee shops. I passed at least 5 potential coffee shops in the span of time it took me to get here. I could've saved 20 min and just went up the road to Starbucks. But, with the premise I'm putting forth, I'm worth the extra 20 minute drive. It's more than OK to go to one of my favorite places, sip my coffee and eat my food without guilt, because there's nothing to feel guilty about. I'm not sinning by taking care of myself. I'm not sinning leaving my kids with someone else to get a break.

So my final thought I'll end with is, we should stop taking a backseat to life simply because we're moms. Yes some days there really isn't a chance to get certain things done. Or it truly slips our mind. However, don't let the enemy fool you into believing you have to do everything, be everything to everyone, but if you stop to take a long shower the world will explode! Don't let the enemy fool you into believing me time is neglect. It's not. That's a lie. He knows the truth. Healthy and balanced me time is like hitting

the reset button. You're batteries are recharged and it's back to stomping the devil under your feet!