SELF-CARE AND RENEWAL FALL 2024
By Gail K. Kachnycz 18 October 2024
Recently, I spent
two weeks in Ocean City, New Jersey. The surf and beach were beautiful and
refreshing. I enjoyed good company and good food. Long walks were restorative
to body, mind and spirit. It was a wonderful time for self-care and
renewal.
I brought several books with me, since it
seems I never have time to read them when the demands of everyday life press in
on me. One book was written by a friend at church: Come Dance With Me;
Devotions For Deeper Intimacy With God by Gretchen Schwartzman. Gretchen
has a practice of waiting quietly before the Lord, and recording the message He
impresses on her during that time of meditation. This year, the devotions were
compiled into a book and published. Each page contains a few paragraphs and
Bible verses that relate to the message. There are several themes, such as:
-God’s love and desire to commune with us.
-God desires to lead us daily; we can learn to recognize His
voice and guidance
-God is trustworthy and His support is steadfast
-Seeking God is our first priority
I came away
realizing that God’s grace will sustain me as a care-giver. Starting each day
with God is important. It may be something as simple as hitting the snooze
button in the morning, but then consciously dedicating the day to the Lord, and
praying with thanksgiving as well as covering for the tasks ahead. When the
alarm sounds nine minutes later, I begin the activities of the day having
placed them in God’s hands.
Gretchen granted permission to share a sample from the book. Here is page 121, which really spoke to me as a care-giver:
TRUST IN ME FOR
TODAY
Trust in Me one
day at a time. Trust in Me for today, this day that is before you. I will
provide everything that you need to get through this day. As you walk side by
side with Me, I will enable you to navigate all the complexities of the day
with wisdom and discernment, grace and peace. As you face difficult situations
or many tasks that need to be done, you can choose whether to respond by
feeling anxious and overwhelmed or to keep your hand firmly in Mine, trusting
in Me to lead you and guide you. You have the freedom to choose to not let your
emotions and you mental state be controlled by your circumstances but instead
to trust in Me and allow Me to be in control of all your responses.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and
do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He
will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6
When I am afraid, I will put my trust in
You.
In God, whose word I praise, In God I have
put my trust; I shall not be afraid.
What can mere man do to me? Psalm 56:3-4
The book is available online on Amazon and also at Barnes
and Noble bookstores.
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