#nourishtoflourish

I am tired both physically and mentally. Juggling life is messy. No matter how chaotic life may look, I know I must take care of me by nourishing areas of my life that will allow me to flourish in the middle of the chaos. In Ephesians chapter 5 we read about instructions for the Christian household. It does not mean we need to submit to perfection but rather submit to imperfection. We can learn from the Apostle Paul on how to care for ourselves and our loved ones in Eph 5:29 NIV; “After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church”.

This past Monday was a day full of imperfections. As I sat and read my morning devotions, my coffee mug slipped out my hand and crashed to the floor. Was I more upset I waisted good coffee or shattered a good mug? Now that I had a mess to clean up, I was in desperate need of more caffeine, not more work. While packing my lunch with just 5 minutes to spare, I spilled the bag of pretzels while pouring them. As the pretzels scatter across the counter, I could feel the emotions build up. Was this how my day was going to go? I could already hear the devil’s reply. Just like the pretzels scattered so did my mind in a million directions.

Juggling means to continuously toss into the air and catch several objects, to keep at least one in the air while handling the others. That Monday evening, I juggled a run, dinner, and then the dreaded homework. It was 11:00pm before my head hit the pillow. Although life is messy and chaotic at times, I am thankful to have the grace of God to walk with me through my imperfections. Some of us go to bed wondering, if we were an intentional mom, a loving wife, or a faithful friend that day. We must remember to love and nourish ourselves, including our flaws, just as Christ loves us.

Will you give yourself grace tonight as you lay your head down? Juggling is not perfection. Next time you have multiple objects in the air, remember it is ok to let one fall.