Time for Self-Renewal

As I've struggled with letting go of the thoughts running through my head at night recently, the Lord keeps bringing this verse to my mind:  "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."  I was so busy thinking about all that I needed to do, and so busy worrying about different situations, but He kept saying, "I will give you rest."  He was offering it to me, but as in anything someone offers you, you have to be willing to take it.  I needed to let go of everything, and just take His rest, and take responsibility for my own self-renewal.  

The truth is that it's very easy as homeschooling moms to get to the point where our well is empty, and we have little to give to our family.  It's hard to keep our priorities straight, and often there just doesn't seem to be enough time to do it all, so we push ourselves.We get busy doing all kind of "good' things for our children, our husband, and serving outside of the family, that we fail to take responsibility for our own well being. Then it catches us, and we fall apart. How do you know when you're to that point?  Well, for me there were a couple of pretty obvious signs.  One was the audible sigh that came forth when my family asked me to do something for them.  It could be the simplest request, but my fatigue made it seem big to me.  The other sign was the negative thinking.  "I'm such a bad wife/mom.  My kids would have been better off in school," etc.  I had to purposely choose to replace those lies from the devil with the truth of God's Word.  He kept reminding me "Come to me, and I will give you rest.  I will renew your mind, your body, and your spirit."   He was telling me I needed to take time for self-renewal.  I had  to remember that I would be able to serve my family much more effectively (and without the sigh!), if my own well wasn't totally dry.  

If you feel like you are in "deficit living" mode, decide to make time for yourself.  This would include time for physical rest, exercise, proper eating.The most important thing would be staying in tune with the Lord.  Without staying in touch with Him, we will not be able to fulfill his plans for us daily.  We've got to spend time with Him and ask Him to direct our thoughts, and to give us the strength we need.We have to come to Him to get His rest. 

There are 3 key words to remember that will help with this:

1. Sanctuary – find a place to clear your mind, and hear God's voice daily
2. Spiritual sustenance – daily spend time in His Word
3. Simplify – slow down, and focus on the things that matter in the light of eternity.

There's a poem I often read in my workshops, that sums this up so well:
 

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