Here is another one that I wrote last summer. Now, more than ever in our very fast passed weeks, it seems that I need to listen to it!
Stasi came down this morning, hungry as usual, and asked her usual question: "What's for 'breakfast, Mama?" Then she asked me if I had any of "that" cereal. "What cereal, Stasi?" I asked. "You know, that Michael Jax cereal! Do we still have any?" I had to laugh, because we had been enjoying a box of Apple Jacks cereal several weeks ago as we encounter all the media hype about Michael Jackson. A three year old seems to mix important events together, I guess!
I have noticed lately, as I work in a small kitchen feeding 8 people 3 times a day not including snacks, that meal preparation and meal time keeps coming and coming and coming again! All 8 of us get hungry! The hunger pangs hit and SOME of us get particularly grumpy- sure signs that we need to do some eating! Some of us, being more active and wiggly than others, seem to need food more often. We almost never skip, because we enjoy good food (NJ has some amazing food opportunities), but also because our bodies tell us that we need it.
We have been talking lately with the older kids about how easy and natural it is to take care of our physical needs like eating, but also bathing, brushing our teeth, and sleeping. Our bodies tell us loud and clear what we need, but our soul often doesn't give us physical reminders of its need. Our soul doesn't ever feel gritty like our teeth do. Our soul doesn't stink like our bodies do at the end of the day. Nor does our soul grumble and rumble like our bellies do when it's time to eat. But our soul needs to be fed and cared for just like our bodies do.
There are consequences for not taking care of our bodies. Siblings holler and complain if we come in the room all stinky. We won't have the energy we need to run and play (or do all endless chores Mama makes everyone do) without food. And I for one am terribly grumpy without plenty of sleep. If we get too hungry, we reach for junk food because it is convenient. This cheats our body of what it really needs though.
In the same way, if we don't take care of our soul on a regular basis, it is going to suffer. What are the signs of a "suffering soul?" Anger, lonilness, depression, anxiety, insecurity. When we aren't regularly feeding our soul with the things God provides, we may start looking for a quick fix to try to feel good again or be happy. Sometimes those quick fixes are relatively harmless (chocolate often does the trick for me), but other times, the choices that we make when our soul has been neglected can show our desperation. Overeating, nurturing romantic fantasies (or making those fantasies reality), masking our pain with drugs or too much alcohol are just a few choices made in hopes of finding some soul fulfillment. Some even resort to cutting themselves, plucking out their hair, or throwing up any food they eat- all in an effort to gain control, to try, in some twisted way, to feel good.
God has generoulsy given us lots of ways to nourish our souls, and He instructs us to take every opportunity to take Him up on these provisions.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Packed Wine Glasses
I wrote this back in July of 2009 and never posted it. I thought I would put it up there now, because it is still relevant.
Phil, always gifted at coming up with witty analogies, rightly described our situation the other day. He said the two of us are like wine glasses packed in a box. Up until 6 weeks ago, we were neatly packed in the box with lots of paper, very protected from being broken. But now, having left our home, fairly regular routines, and a wonderful support network of friends and family, we are like wine glasses in a box without all the protective padding. All the decisions and pressures of moving, buying a house, and helping the kids get settled in, are like heavy boxes being stacked on our wine glass box! AHHH! We might just break into a million pieces! Maybe that is why he and I feel particularly edgy and likely to fall back into bad habits these days.
I now know how vulnerable missionaries become when they get out on the field and how essential it is that they are grounded in Christ and are working together as a couple. There is no more "padding" of familiarity and routine once they are finally where they are called to be. Even the physical conveniences are often gone causing stress.
So Phil and I are shoring up our "box" these days to make sure we don't break! That has included getting back to regular times with God in His Word, calling our close friends for prayer support and encouragement (and sometimes a kick in the pants), and Bible time and prayer with the kids, and making a point to express our feelings and needs to one another. In Tucson, God provided much "padding" to help us be strong and to protect us. Those provisions were needed and helpful and really taught us how to take care of ourselves. Now is the time to put those lessons into action!
Phil, always gifted at coming up with witty analogies, rightly described our situation the other day. He said the two of us are like wine glasses packed in a box. Up until 6 weeks ago, we were neatly packed in the box with lots of paper, very protected from being broken. But now, having left our home, fairly regular routines, and a wonderful support network of friends and family, we are like wine glasses in a box without all the protective padding. All the decisions and pressures of moving, buying a house, and helping the kids get settled in, are like heavy boxes being stacked on our wine glass box! AHHH! We might just break into a million pieces! Maybe that is why he and I feel particularly edgy and likely to fall back into bad habits these days.
I now know how vulnerable missionaries become when they get out on the field and how essential it is that they are grounded in Christ and are working together as a couple. There is no more "padding" of familiarity and routine once they are finally where they are called to be. Even the physical conveniences are often gone causing stress.
So Phil and I are shoring up our "box" these days to make sure we don't break! That has included getting back to regular times with God in His Word, calling our close friends for prayer support and encouragement (and sometimes a kick in the pants), and Bible time and prayer with the kids, and making a point to express our feelings and needs to one another. In Tucson, God provided much "padding" to help us be strong and to protect us. Those provisions were needed and helpful and really taught us how to take care of ourselves. Now is the time to put those lessons into action!
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