"I feel guilty when I blow it with my kids and I feel guilty when I take time for myself. I just can't win!" lamented my friend sitting across from me at a local coffee shop. It was a mommy meltdown at its very best.
I reassured her. I've been there. We've all been there. We know we need to take some time to refill our emotional tank, but we feel guilty doing so because it often means doing something away from the family. But then the guilt keeps us from taking care of ourselves and we end up with no reserves when we're disciplining our kids and we blow it. It's a common cycle that most moms experience. I ran that cycle for years until one day it hit me: taking care of myself is part of my job description as a mom! It's my responsibility. Nobody is going to do it for me. I have to learn to do it myself. Before I'm on empty. Before I'm at the end of my rope. Proactively...not reactively.
With Mother's Day around the corner, I'd like to make a suggestion. Let's each give ourselves a Mother's Day gift. This would be a life-giving gift to us and to our family. Let's commit to putting something in our schedule that fills us up: exercise, scrapbooking, one night out a week with a girlfriend, an hour at the library, a walk, prayer, reading the Bible, sitting on the porch with a cup of tea...whatever activity would fill your emotional fuel tank!
Yes, it will take some effort. Sometimes it will even feel like a hassle. But it's worth it! And it is needed on a regular basis. You and I can't give to our families out of emptiness...we need to give to our families out of the overflow of our heart! The only way a heart can overflow is if it's filled to the brim. Jesus pulled away from the crowds to refuel. We can follow His example and do the same.
Keeping hearts at home,
Jill Savage
To learn more about Hearts at Home visit their website: http://www.hearts-at-home.org/
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