A couple of weeks ago I noticed myself feeling irritated, tired and drained. My husband and I had been moving for four days straight…from sun up to sun down we were packing, lifting, carrying, and stacking. It was finally done and I felt miserable!

I began to analyze myself. Why did I feel there was a battle going on inside of me? Why did I feel I could snap at any moment? I realized I hadn’t had any time of refreshing in the past week. I had been so focused on our move that I didn’t take time to spend with God like I usually do or pray like I usually do and just sit and enjoy the blessings around me. I was physically, mentally and spiritually drained, I was thirsty!

As a homeschooling mother of four, I am like a kitchen faucet that is never turned off. I am constantly pouring into the little hearts that surround me 24/7 and when they are done my husband is waiting so patiently. If I want to be the wife, mother, teacher, daughter, sister, friend, and light to this world that God has called me to, I need to be refreshed daily.

After I realized what was causing my internal problem, it was an easy fix. I took about twenty minutes to just relax with my feet up, reading and studying the word. The Bible tells us in Psalms 19:7, “The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.”

Each person has a different personality, therefore, each person has a different way of being refreshed. My husband feels refreshed after a couple of games of basketball, others might feel refreshed after fellow-shipping with some close friends. Whatever it may be, it is important to take time for yourself and more importantly take time in the Word. Taking this time is not just because we selfishly need to be refreshed but rather our children, husband, friends, and others need to be refreshed. We cannot give something we do not have, including smiles and words of encouragement. So, make it a priority to spend 15 to 20 minutes refreshing yourself daily and refilling your spiritual well. Then we can give our family and others the love, grace and mercy they need.