By Grace Through Faith

Lately, I have been reflecting on the word – nurture. Nurture is defined as “the process of caring for and encouraging growth or development”.

In this life, we are in this on-going process of growth and development. Since we were children, young and wild, we grew. Went to school. Developed. Learned new skills. And we also began to learn the brokenness of the world as we became older and exposed to the environments around us.

Sometimes, the exposure of the brokenness of the world can weigh heavy on our hearts. We also can start to get swept up in responsibilities and roles that we play when it comes to our work, our family, our friendships, and our involvements in the community. We can start to just go through the motions, letting the days pass us by, trying to keep the house clean. Keep the children and the pets alive and well. Do our jobs. Go to bed. Eat, sleep, and repeat all for the next day.

In these seasons, we can be so focused on others that we run empty ourselves. We start to forget about ourselves. Typically, when we get busy, self-care is the first to go. We stop exercising. We stop showing up to the things we love. Some seasons are like that. However, I am trying to reflect on my soul lately and what it needs to be nourished. How can I take care of my soul and my heart as well as taking care of my mind and my body? 

Physically, find time for rest. Shut your phone off 30 minutes before bed. Maybe read a book before you rest for the night. Find movements in your body throughout the week. Go to an exercise class or a walk. Find gratitude in your body and your health. Rejoice in the movements and what you can do.

Mentally, speak kind to yourself. All these expectations or pressures you’re putting on yourself, begin to let them go and surrender them. Admit that you’re human. You’ll make mistakes. You aren’t perfect. Recognize your need for grace. Thank the Lord for the grace that we get to receive and the hope we have in Jesus. How would you speak to your best friend? How would you speak to your mother or your sister? Speak that way to yourself. 

For your soul, ask the Lord to search your heart of any bitterness, discontentment, envy, or sinful desires. Ask Him to clean your heart and move your heart into His will. Aligning your heart with His.

Also ask yourself, what do you need this week to fill your cup up. Listen to music. Reflect on the previous month. Find gratitude for the good things in and small joys. Ponder on the previous challenges you have been through and the ways you have grown. What you learned through those seasons. 

Search me, O God, and know my heart!
    Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
    and lead me in the way everlasting! – Psalm 139:23-24

Admit that you’re human. You’ll make mistakes. You aren’t perfect. Recognize your need for grace. Thank the Lord for the grace that we get to receive and the hope we have in Jesus.

Be kind to yourself this week.

With Love,

Claire