When life gets stressful and you feel like there’s too much on your plate, what’s the first thing that gets pushed off? Self-care. But I’m working to make it a priority again.
This last year has been incredibly hard on our family. Just over the last few months we moved from Pennsylvania to Texas, my husband started a new job in a field he’s never worked in before (one of those 8-5 jobs he’s never had!), my son with autism started at a new school, we’re in a new church, a new house—everything is new!
Because everything is new, there’s lots more work to help everyone adjust. I’m losing sleep. I’m making bad food choices. I’m spending hours on the computer trying to get James the therapy he’s gotten since he was three years old (I seriously feel like I’ve stepped back in time for autism care by 10 years. Get it together, Texas!) instead of getting outside and getting some exercise.
Not only am I missing out on self-care, I’m neglecting soul-care.
In John 15:5, Jesus says
I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.”
My connection to the vine isn’t as strong as it could be. I can feel it in my energy level and in my attitude. I fall into bed each night feeling tired not from a job well done, but from from the exhaustion of being at the end of my rope and wits. I need to live as if I believe what Jesus Himself says: He gives the living water, He is the bread of life, He is the good shepherd.
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
For special-needs parents, self-care and soul-care are not optional. If we don’t care for ourselves, we can’t properly care for the children God has given us.
Next month I’m going to focus on self-care (and soul-care) for 31 days. I’m not giving myself a longer to-do list, I’m finding solutions that will work for me and my family so we can all be healthier.
If you want to join me in focusing on self-care in October, you can
- Visit my site to learn more details.
- Join me on my Facebook page to get updates about each day’s topic.
- Follow the Pinterest board. There’s tons of info on the topics we’ll be covering, including getting better sleep, eating better, and journaling.
- Join me on Twitter and Periscope at @SandraPeoples. I’ll be talking each week about what we’re learning and the progress we’re making.
Latest posts by Sandra Peoples (see all)
- Be a Friend Who Shows Up When Life Is Hard - September 4, 2017
- Who Me … Traumatized? - August 18, 2017
- We’ve Moved to KeyMinistry.org - January 4, 2017