Take Care of Me

 

Help me, help you! Seriously, is it really about me taking care of me; so I can better equip my family?

YES!

I didn’t learn the importance of taking care of myself, until our world came crashing down many years ago. We were so busy putting on a good front between; keeping the kids content, and maintaining our appearance on the outside; it literally became exhausting.

Can you relate?

The Reality of Taking Care of Me

I was exhausted trying to take care of everyone else. And as a result, I was completely unhappy, tired and physically worn out.

I had always prioritized my time with God but never made self-care a priority. Then one day during my time with God, I meditated on 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.

Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received [as a Gift] from God? You are not your own, 20 You were bought with a price [purchased with a preciousness and paid for, made His own]. So then, honor God and bring glory to Him in your body. ~ 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 {AMPC}

I’ve read that passage a million times before, but it was only then, that blinders came off my eyes. 

It won’t matter, if the bills got paid, if I could cook a gourmet meal on a budget, or if my kids knew they had brand new designer jeans, or used designer jeans from a second-hand shop; if I wasn’t here.

If I run myself down to the ground, what good am I going to be to my family anyway?

It Really Is About Me

As I began to focus on a lifestyle of living God’s priorities, I realized, it was time to start taking care of me!

“I” must spend my time with God to be strengthened spiritually; so that I have enough emotional strength to tend to myself physically.

“I” must tend to myself physically; if I want to live long on this earth to take care of my family. That included learning to prioritize me. Because, in order to help them, I must first help myself.

Even though I knew I was the kind of woman that got stuff done, the truth was, there was no S on my chest! I was not superwoman.

“She girds herself with strength [spiritual, mental, and physical fitness for her God-given task] and makes her arms strong and firm.”
~Proverbs 31: 17 (AMPC)

At the rate I was going, I knew I wasn’t mentally, emotionally, or spiritually fit for my God-given task, to love my husband, raise a family, and fulfill my purpose, if I was constantly exhausted, and worn out.

So I literally cried to the Lord, and petitioned Him to help me take care of myself without feeling guilty.

Taking care of me isn't selfish, it's biblical!  Click To Tweet

Taking Care of Me Example

One Christmas, I realized we were setting the wrong example. In our efforts to provide for our kids, we simply chose to skip exchanging gifts ourselves.

While our intentions were pure, it displayed the wrong message. To our kids, we showed them that despite financial challenges, kids come first and our wants and desire don’t matter.

Well, that got me thinking. What about the times I was too exhausted to do; anything for me, wear makeup, get up a little earlier to work out, or better yet, buy something for myself that I actually needed?

By not doing those things, I was showing my daughter, that when you grow up to be a wife and a mom, you can forget about looking nice, or having time for yourself, because your life is now all about them.

WRONG! I had to learn that taking care of me, is me taking care of my family.

In The End

As I started to seek God sincerely for what I wanted, He began to meet me right where I was. God showed me ways to take time out for me, while maintaining my priorities.

The more time I spent with Him, recognizing my need to take care of my temple, I began to MAKE TIME for exercising, fascia blasting, and eating a healthy diet.

You see, living within God’s priorities isn’t just about doing it right. It’s about learning the balance of living for God, tending to the needs of our family, while being mindful not to lose ourselves in the process.

Helping my family is about helping me. And for that, I no longer feel guilty. 

 

~ Timberley Gray