“Allowing yourself frailty is one of the kindest things you can do for yourself.” After reading these wise words to Michele Cushatt from a counselor as quoted in her book Undone
Last week I shared with you how that one sentence inspired me to make a change in my life. So what change did I make?
I resigned from the 5 am Club.
When I told friends I was waking up at 5 am to write, no one patted me on the back in praise of my self-discipline. Instead they asked, “don’t you need eight hours of sleep?”
Though it’s true my body prefer eight hours of sleep, I can get by on seven. And on a perfect night, I would get all seven hours of sleep and wake up rested and refreshed.
But life isn’t perfect, and more often than not I would survive on six to seven hours of sleep. And while every morning I started off great, as the day went on I found myself doing just what was necessary and nothing more.
We all go through seasons where life requires depending on God’s grace, but this wasn’t the case. I had simply decided to survive on less sleep.
So when I asked myself “am I kind to me,” the answer was no. And to be honest, my tired self wasn’t always kind to those around me either.
Cutting five hours out of my schedule wasn’t an easy task. I started by seeking God and then placing items on my schedule that I knew were His best for me.
“If you want to know what God wants you to do, ask him, and he will gladly tell you, for he is always ready to give a bountiful supply of wisdom to all who ask him; he will not resent it.” James 1:5 TLB
So no more getting up while the world still sleeps. I now set my alarm for a reasonable 6 am wake up. I also noticed a certain pride had taken root with that 5 am wake up, a pride I happily uprooted when I set my alarm forward.
So I ask you, my sweet friend, Are you kind to you? If your answer isn’t “yes,” what is one change you can make today? And if you don’t know what to do, ask God, and He will happily tell you.
From our home to yours, wishing you a safe and blessed 4th of July as we celebrate America’s Independence Day! And in honor of the day, I want to say thank you to our military and their families who love and support them.
Blessed to be linking up with Susan at #DanceWithJesus and Holley at Coffee For Your Heart.
Rest in His presence.
Yay for you, Crystal. Glad that you were able to discern if the 5 a.m wakup call was helpful or harmful to you.
During the school year, I try to get up at 6 a.m. to write too, and it’s a discipline that’s not always so easy. I don’t sleep well, and I have one son who’s coming in from work anywhere from 1-2:00 a.m. most nights, so sleep eludes me a lot days anymore. I’d probably be being a lot kinder to myself if I didn’t feel the need to wait up for him every night, but that’s a hard thing for a mom to do…go to sleep while one of her people is still out there. God’s getting me there in baby steps…It’s a work in progress. 🙂
Thanks for sharing, Crystal. This is a nice little hug for a sleepy heart this morning. 🙂
Brenda, I’m joining you in that sleepy heart this morning. Life has gotten in the way recently of a good night’s sleep, but it’s in seeking God that I know when there’s a change I need to make. For a season I know that 5 am wake up for writing was exactly where God needed me, but now it’s time to make those necessary cuts so I can be prepared for the next season. Praying He continues to guide you in those baby steps. : )
Very nice Crystal. I find I need to do the same thing as I get older. I have to take care of myself too. And more sleep is definitely one of them! I feeling a bit of that this morning. I hope we both a nice weekend with much needed rest!
Oh, Debbie, I amen that prayer for a nice weekend and some much-needed rest. : )
Crystal, this is just lovely, and so true. Blessings to you this holiday weekend.
Sweet blessings to you, Michele. : )
Thank you for this post. I sometimes feel guilty for not waking up early, especially because my husband is up at 4:30 or 5 every morning. But I’ve tried it for a long enough period of time to know that it just doesn’t work for me. Thank you for reminding me that it’s okay to be kind to myself in this area.
Michelle, you are loved and created in the image of the Most High. I pray you accept His grace to be who He called
you
to be. Sweet blessings to you, my friend. : )
Love this post, Crystal. I am, by far, my worst and harshest critic. Soaking in your words, my friend, and am praising God for more sleep! 😉
Kristi, I pray you hear God’s words of grace clearly as the words of criticism fade in light of the truth of His word. Praising God for more sleep with you, my friend. : )
Such a thought provoking post, Crystal! I’m going to have to spend a considerable amount of time in prayer over this, because I know the answer to your first question is “No, I’m not kind to myself.” Maybe it’s because I feel undeserving of my kindness. Yours is one of many references I’ve seen recently to Michele Cushatt and her new book. I’m considering this a divine word to get a copy for myself. Visiting as your neighbor this morning at Holley Gerth’s Coffee for Your Heart.
Janet, that’s the problem isn’t it. We don’t feel deserving of kindness or we’re at the bottom of our own to-do. But one, we’re daughters of the King who are worthy because He has created us. Two, we forget we need to take care of ourselves so we can take care of those who are counting on us. By the way, I loved Michele’s book and highly recommend it. Sweet blessings, Janet. : )
I think that answer changes depending on the day and season. But no matter what, we tend to take pride in a busy schedule. That isn’t how God wants it, so I have been trying to rest on Sunday afternoons. Doing less really is better! 🙂
You are so right, Sarah. We take pride in our busyness, and then our busyness keeps us from resting in His presence. Having at least one day to step away can make a big difference. Doing less is better – agreed. : )