Renewal for the Weary, Exhuasted Soul

Hey friends!

How are you doing??? Truthfully, I'm exhausted - emotionally, physically, and spiritually. My time with April was amazing (thanks for praying!) ~ but boy is my brain tired. 3 full days of writing, praying and studying have left me in a fog. Have you ever been there before too??

Today starts a week that is full with teaching at a Red Hot retreat this Saturday, my writing deadline next Tuesday, not to mention life with 4 kids and my sweet husband.

In an effort this week to focus, I'm going to unplug from blogging for the week. :(

I'll miss you....but look forward to re-connecting on Monday, January 30th with the next A to Z Memory Verse and another FUN giveaway. Thanks for understanding.....

I'll leave you with a post from this spring when I didn't unplug and learned the hard way. I needed to re-read this today.

Have a refreshing, joy-filled week!
Me




A few weeks ago, I crashed. Big time.

My poor family ~ for days and days I shuffled along in my pj's and slippers...exhausted, weary, empty. The couch and my blanky became my close friends. It wasn't typcial me. It wasn't pretty.

Thankfully, God has been renewing my weary soul. He's breathed fresh life into me. Today, I'm feeling "built up" rather than "burnt out". I sense "Cindy" is back! (Whew!)

I'm taking very good notes during this season of "rebuilding". I want to learn (really learn!) these lessons. I don't go through "Crash~ville" again!

I want to live at a "sustainable pace" and experience all that God has for me ~ His life, fullness, abundance and joy!

Someday maybe I'll share in more detail about the initial re-filling. It would include things like....

Showering.

Putting on lipstick (even when I don't feel like it). Feeding myself good, whole food.

Letting the "shoulds" go.

Turning off the computer. Canceling some appointments. Saying "no" to good things.

Letting my email inbox stay full for awhile. Snuggling with my kids.

Forgetting about the piles. Praying with others.

Breathing....inhaling and exhaling. Feeling my feelings (even the disappointments). Walking my dog.

Spending time with good friends. Soaking in His love.

Yesterday, after recess duty, prayer walking, and coffee with a friend ~ I went into one of favorite party stores. Ahhh....it felt GOOD.

I purchased sombreros, maracas, and fiesta supplies.

It was time for us to get our party back on!

My kids invited some neighborhood friends over for a fun little Cinco de Mayo celebration...





And the happy, non-weary, fully alive party hosts....


My sweet friend, as we head into another full week ~ may I encourage you to build into your day the things that YOU love!

Take time to enjoy the sunshine.

Smell (or plant) some flowers.

Let your inbox stay full.

Take a day off from social media. (It'll be ok, really! :))

Soak in His love.

Jesus came to give us LIFE to the full....His amazing, superabundant, better than we ever dreamed of life.

Let's live it out LOUD!

I've so enjoyed hearing your ideas on how you maintain a balanced life (thank you!).

I'd love for you to share your thoughts on how you experience and enjoy FULL life. What do you do (or not do) to stay filled up?? I'd love to hear from you!!

I'm off to share life with a friend....and then off to soak in the SON! :)

Sweet blessings to you ~



P.S. I'm linking up today with Jen and friends at Soli Deo Gloria. Be sure to check out this amazing sisterhood of women! :)