It's Time to Love YOU!

As women on the go we have a million things in our heads that keep us occupied daily. And often times we forget about taking care of US in the process. I believe God has created us as women of virtue because we care so much for people. God created us women to embrace others, nurture others, and give to others in ways that are not our ways, but God's ways.

And many times I wonder, "How in the world did I do all that I have done with just being one person with only two hands?" It is clear that God has purposefully chosen us, as women, to carry out His will for us as wives, as mothers, as professionals, and as daughters. For these attributes, we ought to be grateful for the truth that He never puts more on us than we can bare.

Have you ever felt like giving up because you felt so overwhelmed? I have on a number of occasions because it is sometimes difficult to deal with all that we deal with in just one day! Do you get stuck in routine and do you feel like you're living a stagnant life? Even though God uniquely created us as empowering women full of love, care, and compassion, He also created us to take advantage of the Life He has so graciously provided for us to live. The abundant life is worth living. What do you think when you see "Abundant Living?" I envision Life full of zeal, passion, peace, joy, love overflowing that is accessible to us as long as we take the time and access it!

3 John 1:2 says, "Beloved I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health even as your soul prospers." That sums it up pretty much. God wants for us to be in divine health. He created us to be this way. So it is imperative that we take care of ourselves in the midst of all the chaotic hustle that we endure on a daily basis. It is a prerequisite for abundant living!

I can think of many examples of times where I've worked to make sure everyone else's needs were being met. Yet I so easily forgot about my needs. It is easier, I believe, to meet others' needs than it is to meet our own needs. I forget that God wants to take care of me TOO. And of course God wants us to care for others and love one another as He so graciously loves us. We must always remember to take time to love ourselves somewhere in the process!

Are you taking breaks between your busy shift to take care of you? You have laundry waiting to be washed and folded, but have you taken the time to just love you? Rooms in your household have to get organized and clean. But are you making the time to love you?

"Strength and honor are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom. AND on her tongue is the law of kindness. She watches over the ways of her household..." - - Proverbs 31: 25-27

"Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates."
- - Proverbs 31:31.

God has blessed us tremendously through our works, through our acts of kindness, and through our nurturing love He has so freely given us as virtuous women. And for that alone, is why we must take time to love ourselves! God has created us to BE virtuous women. He has purposed in His heart for us to be worth far more than rubies. God has plans for us as women who fear Him.

And we are to take hold of what He has called us to do. I am at a point in my life where I want to take time to love myself by spending more intimate time with the Lord. He is everything to me and trying to find 10 minutes of my time just to worship Him lays such a heavy guilt on me. And I thank Him for loving me anyway. I give God 25% of me, and yet God gives me 100% of Him. And He still loves me in spite of my cheap giving of me to Him! How powerful is that?

I strive to give God more of me. And in taking time to love, I seek to use that time to think of His goodness, think of His sacrifices, and think of His commitment to abide in me so long as I abide in Him! Wow, it's simply amazing, and I don't want to take it for granted. How about you? This is the day that the Lord HAS made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. This is what we ought to keep our minds on as we take time for ourselves.

God has humbly created us so that we may have abundant life and enjoy all the fruits of His labor. Isn't it time we stop for a minute and meditate on His creations, on His wonders? The time to Love you is NOW. What are you going to do to take time to love yourself? When are you going to start? The time is now and we cannot waste another minute. Be thankful that you are still here to reap the wonders of His love. I urge you to start now. Take time to love you!

Inhale. Exhale and as you exhale, say aloud the following statement:
I'm living Life. I'm loving me!
Repeat this three times. Smile as you exhale each time and make the statement.

I'm living Life. I'm loving me. How about you?

Have a splendid week!
Until next time...
--Many Blessings,
ats

Obedience to Serve

March has flown by and I am trying to catch up with the monthly blogs!
So we are here in the last day of the month of March.
A new month is now here and Spring has just begun.


I have been thinking a lot about my obedience to the Lord and His calling for my life.
This past resurrection weekend I had the opportunity to discuss the Purpose Driven Life with my family and there was great discussion surrounding God's purpose for our lives.


And lately I have been feeling a bit hindered and deterred from what I feel God has purposed for me to do next in this purpose driven journey. It has been difficult trying to determine where I am to go next in serving Christ. There is a tug of war going on within me that has been hindering my obedience to serve. I have been feeling a bit discouraged, yet still thirsty to serve the Lord and commit myself to Him.


"What is this tug of war that is going on inside me," I ask myself. And I see that God is ready for me to move forward with what He has called me to do. It is exciting yet exhilarating all at the same time. Some emotional ride you may think!


I feel God asking me, "Where is your obedience to serve me?" And I have a hidden fear of what will happen once I surrender my obedience completely to Him.

And then I refer to the scripture on my shirt from when I was a greeter in my previous church in Michigan that says, "If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land..."
- - - Isaiah 1:19


This scripture has inspired me and encouraged me to stay focused on God's obedience. We shall "eat the good of the land" if we are willing and obedient. Are you obedient to the Lord? Are you serving the Lord in obedience? If not, then what is holding you back from obeying God? If we are not willing to serve in obedience then we are not willing to receive what God has promised us.


What will you need to be obedient to in serving Christ?


Until next time...


Love & Many Blessings,
ats