You know that thing you've always wanted to do? You should go do it!

What excites you? What relaxes you? What moves you? Rediscover yourself (the person God created you to be) and let that shape your life. Layer some of those activities and quiet moments into your life. I promise your husband and children will be better for it. How? When? What world are you living in? Ok, I hear you! Trust me! But, give yourself permission to make time to cultivate and fulfill some of those life-giving interests, ministries, and callings God has placed on your heart. This is important for us to teach our children, especially our daughters. We teach them while they’re young to reach for the stars, encourage them to pursue their dreams and go out of our way to take them to gymnastics five days a week when we know they’re never going to make the US Olympic team. So, why not take a couple of those hours a week and develop your interests and desires? Let your children watch or join in as we learn, grow, and minister to those around us. That’s a life lesson our little girls need to see and hear. We are here to honor God with our lives. We are entrusted to teach and train our children, but the Bible does not tell us that we need to cater to their every whim, take them to baseball every weekend, or make sure they are provided gourmet, organic meals three times a day . Let’s stop making up things that we are never instructed by God to do, and set aside some time to spend alone with Him and be real people too! It’s not a sin, contrary to the beliefs of some church leaders, to work outside the home. It’s difficult, but let’s not judge each other and heap more legalistic rules on ourselves and other sisters in Christ without the Scripture to back it up. Likewise, don’t walk away from God’s urging and guidance in your life because someone else is telling you it’s wrong. Know your identity and take time to know yourself. Walk in obedience to Him, and watch God do amazing things in and through you!

Jot down 20 things you LOVE (not HAVE) to do. If it's been a while, think back to pre-kids, pre-marriage. What did you enjoy doing in your free time? A few of my favs are walking on the beach, listening to books or Podcasts, shopping (not for groceries), meeting a friend for coffee, or watching a movie. Choose 1 thing and do it TOMORROW!