9 | Nurture Thy Self

I love that this topic falls on a Sunday, on our day of rest.  Today—every day—I need God's help to be still, to listen to my heart, and to feed my soul.  Join me in this prayer and this effort to nurture our individual selves so that each of us may be the person God intended us to be, and to share that self abundantly with those in our midst.

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)

 

Dear Lord, 

You know my needs before I even speak them.  You know my heart like no one else.  You know what you, in your omniscience and omnipotence, have in mind for me on this earthly journey.  I matter to you.  I have weight, importance, and significance in your eyes.

As I write this, tears well up in my eyes.  Why do I forget that I hold value?  Why do I put everyone else above me when I prioritize?  Why do I let my cup run dry when I am so frantic to fill the cups of everyone else?  This is so clearly NOT what you have in mind for me.

Forgive me for forgetting myself.  As I nurture my faith in you, as I nurture my husband, my children, and all those you have lovingly placed in my midst, remind me to nurture my self.  I know in my head that there must be good currency in the Bank of Liz before I can invest in others.  Help me to live out this truth.

Help me to make regular deposits love, rest, exercise, positive people, and satisfying activities that make my heart sing.  And when the necessary routine of life depletes my personal holdings — when the laundry and dishes and schedules and work wear me down — help me to re-frame my responsibilities and see how they can add joy and contentment to my life.

Help me to maintain that important balance of nurturing myself and sharing myself with others.  When I tip too far toward my own needs, give me that craving to serve others.  When I tilt too far toward giving my all to others, urge me to find my own slice of wilderness and retreat with you. Show me how to do the things I love in accordance with your higher love.

My best days are those when my soul is full, my heart holds joy, and I am doing your good works.  Nurture me with contentment and peace so that I may always be ready, able, and eager to follow your will and your way.

Amen.

"These things I have spoken to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full."

John 15:11 (NASB) 

I pray that you are overflowing with the love and joy that comes from nurturing yourself with God's goodness.  How can you invest in yourself today?