Women are busy today. It doesn't matter if you are a stay-at-home mother trying to raise your children, a working mother trying to help provide for your family while raising your children, a single mother trying to do it alone, a married woman trying to feed your husband while dealing with the responsibilities of life, or a single woman who's trying to keep all of her plates spinning. Whatever type of woman you are, I'd like to encourage you today to make sure you stop every once in a while and take time for yourself. Refresh your soul. Give your brain a break. Spend some time nurturing your relationship with God. Spend some time away from everyday life. Take some time out for yourself. Avoid burnout.
This week, I'm at a writer's conference in New Mexico. Although I'm here to study, learn, and do some work, it's a break from everyday life. I'm in a setting I've never been in before. I'm socializing with friends I only see one to four times a year. I'm with like-minded creative people, which rejuvenates my soul. I can get away for time alone with God, with no interruptions. I can focus, because my children are not here to ask for something every five minutes. I get outside a lot, breathing in fresh, mountain-in-the-desert air. I can stop for five minutes to take pictures of God's glory in the fall-colored trees. It's refreshing. It's time for me. It's a week of excitement and wonder.
So when I have to face everyday life again, I won't burn out. I won't look at my kids and want to scream. I won't lose my patience every 30 minutes. I won't want to lie down and never get up again. I won't wish I had more time to...
God worked for six days, and then He rested. He understood the need to take a break. He understood that we would be more productive if we'd take the time to rest. I encourage you today, take time for yourself once a year. You may not need to spend hundreds or a thousand dollars to treat yourself to a get-away. You may only need a weekend at a local hotel. You may only need to spend the weekend at a best friend's house. Whatever your need is, don't be afraid to tell the world, "Hey. I've worked hard and long enough. I need some time to myself. I need to breathe." It's okay. God did it. So can you!
Have you taken a break lately? Where did you go? I'm in New Mexico. The Land of Enchantment...
Forgive me for not posting at the end of last week and the beginning of this week; our family went on vacation. For the first time in several years.
It was a short vacation, only four days. Two of those were filled with travel. However, traveling along the Blue Ridge Parkway for an afternoon feels like vacation to me. Except when I look over the edge as my husband winds up the steep mountain road. Then it feels like I might fall off the edge while my knuckles turn white from gripping the handle on my Yukon's door. (Like that will really help if we do cascade over the edge of the mountain.)
So, on Monday I was musing about the glory of God and how He is evident in all of creation. His beauty can be seen in the fall foliage (insert photo here...blogger is updating something and photo uploading is down for the moment). His joy can be found in a child's smile or their innocent laughter. His love can be seen in the eyes of one's spouse. His Truth is all around us. It's simply up to us to open our eyes, hearts and ears to it.
On Tuesday I was considering tips for camping with kids. Bring extra blankets during cooler months. Indoor swimming pools are a great way to wear them out at the end of a day. Have a steady supply of tissues, band aids and simple snacks that are easy to grab and go (like Pop Tarts, fresh fruit, fruit snacks, crackers, etc.). Let Dad give them a cup of coffee in the morning, if he wishes. Watch them smile as they feel like one of the grown ups, drinking it down. Enjoy every moment without wishing you were back home with private bath rooms and a washer and dryer at your disposal. If someone spills something on your bed cover at 9:00PM, don't fret. It's not the end of the world as we know it...
And for wisdom on Wednesday? "O Lord, how manifold are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all. The earth is full of Your possessions -" (Psalm 104:24) Like I said before, God's evidence is everywhere. His earth is full of His possessions. Autumn is a great time to view them!
Enjoy!
