Refresh
Greetings,
On sunny spring days, after I've spent an hour or two pulling stubborn weeds from our garden, there's nothing more refreshing than a tall, cold glass of water. Or maybe lemonade...or peach iced tea. Whatever flavor it is, a cool beverage after a long stint in the sun has a way of refreshing our bodies. In the same way, our souls need to be refreshed, too.
Day to day life can dry out our souls or make them feel weary and in need of rest. I found that to be true driving across town twice the other day on the freeway. With the windows down, the sheer noise of the cars and trucks was enough to make me consider how nice it would be living in a third world country. Or going back to horse and buggy. Okay, I know that is unlikely and not very realistic, but on some level my soul longed for some peace and refreshment. In a lot of ways our modern lifestyles tend to wear us out and leave our souls feeling parched.
So what do you find that refreshes your soul? For me, a great time of collective, focused worship can do wonders. Or having a day off that without anything specific I have to do (these are few and far between as a mom and wife with a family of four). But they do come occasionally. And I really enjoy getting outside or watching the birds and animals from my back window. I can shut the bathroom door, open the window, and enjoy a few minutes of peaceful beauty while the rest of my family goes about their activities. (I'm sure other moms with kids can appreciate the treasure in this!) On busy days it seems like my only opportunity to find some refuge.
But our souls do need times to be refreshed on a regular basis. Just like our garden would dry up in a very short time without regular watering, so would my soul without regular times of refreshing. Sometimes on the weekends my family enjoys a meal with a small group of couples. We get together, eat a meal, and just enjoy the time connecting. Or maybe I'll take a few hours on a week night to meet a friend for coffee. This is always a sure way to refresh and restore my soul. I call it "Mom's night out". My husband knows that this time away is an investment in me being a better wife and mom. I try to take these kinds of "refreshment breaks" so my soul stays healthy and "green".
What do you find refreshing? A walk outside enjoying the beauty around you? Time to meet with a friend? A few moments of quiet time to read or be by yourself? Make time today to enjoy some refreshment - even if it's just a few minutes. It will do wonders for your soul.
Blessings.
On sunny spring days, after I've spent an hour or two pulling stubborn weeds from our garden, there's nothing more refreshing than a tall, cold glass of water. Or maybe lemonade...or peach iced tea. Whatever flavor it is, a cool beverage after a long stint in the sun has a way of refreshing our bodies. In the same way, our souls need to be refreshed, too.
Day to day life can dry out our souls or make them feel weary and in need of rest. I found that to be true driving across town twice the other day on the freeway. With the windows down, the sheer noise of the cars and trucks was enough to make me consider how nice it would be living in a third world country. Or going back to horse and buggy. Okay, I know that is unlikely and not very realistic, but on some level my soul longed for some peace and refreshment. In a lot of ways our modern lifestyles tend to wear us out and leave our souls feeling parched.
So what do you find that refreshes your soul? For me, a great time of collective, focused worship can do wonders. Or having a day off that without anything specific I have to do (these are few and far between as a mom and wife with a family of four). But they do come occasionally. And I really enjoy getting outside or watching the birds and animals from my back window. I can shut the bathroom door, open the window, and enjoy a few minutes of peaceful beauty while the rest of my family goes about their activities. (I'm sure other moms with kids can appreciate the treasure in this!) On busy days it seems like my only opportunity to find some refuge.
But our souls do need times to be refreshed on a regular basis. Just like our garden would dry up in a very short time without regular watering, so would my soul without regular times of refreshing. Sometimes on the weekends my family enjoys a meal with a small group of couples. We get together, eat a meal, and just enjoy the time connecting. Or maybe I'll take a few hours on a week night to meet a friend for coffee. This is always a sure way to refresh and restore my soul. I call it "Mom's night out". My husband knows that this time away is an investment in me being a better wife and mom. I try to take these kinds of "refreshment breaks" so my soul stays healthy and "green".
What do you find refreshing? A walk outside enjoying the beauty around you? Time to meet with a friend? A few moments of quiet time to read or be by yourself? Make time today to enjoy some refreshment - even if it's just a few minutes. It will do wonders for your soul.
Blessings.
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