2-23-24

There’s a lot of discussion these days about “selflove” and “selfcare”. It makes great sense for instance that an exhausted Mama should take time for herself. A bubble bath at the end of a day, that cup of coffee in the morning where she can just sit. Everyone needs a “refresh” sometimes. That’s why we have vacations, etc. It’s a lot to be home all day with children running and screaming through the house and when it’s -30 wind chill, you can’t send them outside… at least for long.

Children are an incredible blessing but if you have any, you know that they can push all your buttons some days. Maybe it’s not kids, maybe it’s a stressful job or difficult boss. Maybe it’s a quarrelsome spouse. Whatever your stress is, you do deserve a little break sometimes.

Unfortunately, the people pushing these 2 concepts are not pushing a little break, they are telling you that you are better than everyone else an deserve to take your own vacation away from spouse and kids. That your situation is more important than anyone elses’. That on a daily basis you need to “love” yourself to the point of denying others. I raised 2 boys. Roger worked 80 hrs. a week in the summer. Parenting was on me. Cooking, cleaning, homework, baseball games, laundry, and a job, it was all on me at times. They didn’t talk about “selflove”. I didn’t have the money or the support system to take breaks from the kids, even just for a couple of hours. In my case, I went into a depression, so some type of “me” time would have been helpful, but that was not going to happen. What I had was much greater than a “break” from the kids. I had God who was watching, who knew how tough it was and He actually cared. I remember being in a grocery store and the boys who were only 3 & 6 were asking for treats they didn’t need, and toys … Then they started to fight. I needed the groceries, I couldn’t just walk out, and they were too young to just make them stay in the car alone. So, I gave them each a small swat on the behind and told them if they didn’t settle down now, I would tell their dad. They were more embarrassed even though no one saw than hurt, but they were quiet the rest of the time. I was frazzled when an older man walked by and said “you are doing a great job, mom, they are good kids”. I nearly cried. 

Hebrews 13:2 Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.

So, if we are told to be “nice” to people because they COULD be angels… is it possible that God sends an angel to encourage us at times? I know that He uses people to be his “hands & feet” and this is why we are called to say encouraging things to people. When you see a need, fill it to the best of your ability. 

Lord, life isn’t easy, but you never promised that it would be. I think we would be lazy people if it were. So, Lord, we thank you for being there, watching our struggles and helping us to find our way through this life. Thank you for angels and encouragers for they give us hope. Amen.

Shirlene Peterson