Taking Care of Me

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PHOTO CAPTION: Spending time outdoors is a great way to refresh your spirit and walking is good exercise too.

God Made Me – Psalm 139 & 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Psalm 139 is one of my favorite Psalms.  I love how it speaks of God’s love and care for us. I also love people watching, especially kids. I’m not getting to people watch much right now, but I have seen families out on walks and at the grocery store. I’m glad that families are getting out in the fresh air and still doing things together. It’s fun to hear what the kids are saying and noticing. Small children love discovering the world; everything is new to them. Truly God did a good job when He created us. No two people are alike! 

Since God did such a good job creating us, shouldn’t we value His creation, which means not only the world around us, but our bodies as well? Let’s remember whether we are going through a pandemic or whether life eventually gets back to a more normal existence, take care of yourself. Take care of your body.

I know I try, but as a busy mom, grandparent and teacher; I’m often so busy taking care of everyone else that I forget to take care of myself. I know I fall prey to eating what I shouldn’t and forgetting to drink enough water when I’m busy. And now that we are stuck at home more, it’s even harder. It’s so super easy to grab that bag of chips for lunch instead of stopping to fix lunch. Of course when I just need a break or am feeling a little lonely, do I grab a healthy snack or go for the comfort food?

Caring for ourselves not only involves what we eat, it includes our whole self; our body, soul and spirit.  When we take good care of ourselves, we have more energy to take care of others. So I ask, “How are you doing caring for yourself and how can you and I do better at this task?” (Check below to see what I’m working on this week.)

As parents we spend a lot of time making sure that our kids are taking good care of themselves.  We encourage healthy habits such as brushing teeth, wearing a coat when it’s cold outside, taking vitamins and of course, eating their vegetables. Maybe it’s time we focused a little attention on another incredible, unique person that God made – you and I!  Take care this week and thank God for who He created you to be.  You are amazing!

TAKING CARE OF ME

• I am cutting back on the amount of sugar I put into things. In most recipes, I find I can half the sugar and it still tastes good. I like substituting honey for sugar in coffee and tea.
  
• Eat more fruits and vegetables. There are more fresh fruits and veggies available right now and will be throughout the summer. There are so many ways to enjoy the bounty – in smoothies, simply fresh and raw, in salads or other dishes.I tried two different salads this week – one with chopped cauliflower, craisins, chopped almonds, slivered carrots and cucumbers with a concoction of light mayonnaise, honey, poppyseed and vinegar with Italian seasonings. I also tried a fruit salad with the same dressing. Both were delicious!
  
• Fill your water bottle when you get up in the morning – that way you can keep track of how much you drink – I measured how much my water bottle/glass holds so that I know how much I’ve drank just by keeping track of how many bottles/glasses I drink during the day.

TAKING CARE OF MY SOUL & SPIRIT

• To feed my soul and spirit, I will listen to praise music and get up earlier so that I have time not only to read God’s Word, but also to pray.  Maybe I can take time to pray while I’m waiting for my teakettle to heat up. I have to admit, I’ve missed the prayer part a couple of times this week, but I’m working on it.
  
• Make time to do something I enjoy doing.  Maybe I will read a book or sit and play my piano.
  
• I will do something fun with someone I love – even if you have to do it virtually. (I exercised virtually via FaceTime with my daughter, daughter-in-law and granddaughters this week.)
  
• Listen to an inspirational podcast, movie or video. (Oops! Still need to work on this one. Maybe today!)
  
• Take a nap – if it’s nice outside, take a nap in your hammock or on a blanket on the grass. Who has time for a nap? (Especially if you have young children, right?) Well, at least take a quick minute or two to sit, watch the clouds with your toddler or read a short story in the sunshine.
  
• Walk – This is good for your body and for your soul. Do a stroller walk with another mom in your neighborhood or go for a walk with your whole family.
  
  PARENT OR GRANDPARENT PRAYER:
  Dear God,
  Right now since I’m at home more quarantined, I find that I am eating things I shouldn’t. I’ve let some of my healthy habits slip and I need to reevaluate and get back on track. Help me remember that you made my body and that I have a responsibility to take care of it and if I remember to feed my soul and spirit too, maybe I won’t be so apt to binge on comfort foods when I’m tired. Guide me as I make these healthy decisions to take care of myself. Show me ways I can encourage my family to make healthy choices too. I’m so thankful that you are with me on this journey. One day at a time, I can do this with your help. Thank you for the amazing and wonderful way that you made me and made everyone in my family. Each one of my kids and grandkids are so unique and have so many talents and abilities. I love watching them grow and learn new things. I want to encourage each one of them to be all that they can be. Thank you God. Amen

WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH YOUR CHILD THIS WEEK?

* SHARE A STORY: God Made Me – Psalm 139 
Did you know that God made you? He did! He made every part of you, your teeth, bones, skin, hair. He made you very special and He wants you to take care of  your body because He loves you. Psalms 139 in our Bible tells about how special you are to God. It says, 

God made me and He knows everything about me.
He knows when I get up in the morning – (Yawn and stretch)
And when I go to bed at night. – (Put head on hands as though sleeping)
He knows where I am when I’m hiding, – (Cover eyes)
Even when I’m completely out of sight. – (Cover eyes)

He knows what I’m thinking about and what I’m going to say. –
(Hands by mouth)
He knows when I’m at home, at school or at the park to play. –
(Pretend to run)
He’s never far away from me.- (Hands outward and then point to self)
Where I live, He knows.-(Put fingertips together above head like a roof)

Although I cannot see Him, – (Cover eyes again)
He’s there wherever I go.
He thinks about me everyday, more thoughts than I can count. – (Count)
Those thoughts add up to a magnificently, marvelous amount.

He created every part of me both inside and out. – (Point in and out)
I am wonderfully made. It makes me want to shout! – (Yeah God!)
God, you’re work is amazing! I know that very well. –
(Fingers point to temples)
You have a special plan for me to live for you and tell; –
(Hands by mouth)
You know all I think and do, so help me to do what’s right, –
(Put fingers by temples then bump fists together)
I want to live for you, O God, morning, noon and night. –
(Make sweeping, clockwise motion with hands)

* SAY A PRAYER:
Dear God,
Thank you for making my body and for making me special. Help me to keep my body clean and healthy. Help me do the things that would honor you. Amen

MEMORIZE:  Psalm 139:14 NIrV –
(Hold hands as though holding a book.)

How you – (Point upwards.)
Made me – (Point to self.)
Is amazing – (Hold up closed fists then open hands wide.)
And wonderful –  (Jump up and down with hands in the air.) 

THE MAIN IDEA
KNOW: God did a good job when He made me.
TALK ABOUT: What makes your child unique and special.
ASK: Who made you? God made me.
AND DO: I can take care of my body.

FUN IDEAS FOR THIS WEEK

• Draw a picture of yourself with your child – stick figures are fine.
  
• While doing routine tasks such as brushing your teeth or hair, thank God for your body.
  
• Pray for a specific family member every night at bedtime.