Time: Do you have a moment for yourself? - 25 April 2024

Make some time for yourself. I know, I know. You may also wonder: when do I have to make time for myself when I take care of a family, have to face the traffic every day, work, cook and put the children to bed, and on top of that, have to do household chores. In addition, many people also have a second job or side hustle to balance the books these days, which takes up their evenings.

How do you make time for yourself? How?

Honestly, I do not always know. I also have a hard time making time for myself. It sometimes feels like there are simply too many balls in the air.

A colleague told me one day, when I was sitting overwhelmed and discouraged in her office, to think of all the balls and ask myself: which ball must not fall? Which balls cannot be put back together if they fall? Which balls are crystal? Which balls can bounce?

I thought of my child immediately and then my husband. However, later, I also realised my own well-being – my mental and physical health – is also a crystal ball that must be handled with care.

In 1 Corinthians 6:12 it says: “Some of you say you may do anything. Remember: Not everything is good for you.”

Have you ever listened to the instructions before a plane takes off, particularly the part about the oxygen masks? The cabin crew will usually say something along the lines of: “Place the mask over your nose and mouth, and breathe normally. If you are travelling with children, make sure you have your own mask on before helping your children.”

That part will always stick with me. You cannot help others, if you do not help yourself. You are not going to be able to take care of others, if you do not take care of yourself. You are not going to be able to help your loved ones fill their tanks, if your own is empty. You are not going to be able to live out God’s will for your life, if you do not look after yourself – physically and emotionally.

God loves us so much. He values who and what we are.

It is, therefore, important that we look after ourselves. In the next week make it your goal to take some time for yourself and do something that refreshes your soul. Perhaps, it is to make time to read something interesting. Perhaps, you should sit in silence for half an hour and drink coffee or tea. Maybe you should go to bed early for a couple of nights. Maybe you should make time to start exercising. It might work to go for a walk and get some fresh air.

Do something that will be good for the temple of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer: Lord, I know that you love me and you want me to take care of myself when things get crazy. Help me to find time to breathe and also to make time for myself among all my obligations and tasks. Amen