Not too long ago I got caught up in the trend of self-care. I started taking myself to dinner, allowing myself to go to Happy Hours, getting my nails done every two weeks, making sure my hair was always done. I was doing all this because I deserved it, right? Right…kinda.
I do work hard, and I’m a really good mom to both of my boys; my life practically resolves around them. This is what I told myself each time I swiped my debit card praying the transaction didn’t decline. But on the other side of that was constantly being worried that my car was going to get repossessed in the middle of the night (or worse while I was at work). Or dreading walking up to my front door because I knew sooner or later there would be a “Notice to Vacate” letter shoved underneath my door.
But hey my nails were done and my hair was on point! I was taking care of myself, right?
NOPE. All the way WRONG!
Ladies, do you deserve to get your nails done? Yes. Mothers, should you be allowed to go to happy hour every now and then? Of course. Should we be able to buy ourselves something without feeling guilty especially when we will drop $200 on a pair of shoes for our kids without a question? Most definitely.
But let me tell you what you deserve more. Peace. You deserve peace knowing that your car is safe, you will have a roof over your head, and your lights will not get cut off in the middle of summer in Houston, Texas. That is worth so much more than a fresh set of nails and a nicely laid wig.
Instead of thinking about what you don’t have or what you can’t get because you don’t make enough money, you’re not receiving child support, or whatever, think about the peace that comes with all of your bills being paid. Let me tell you there’s nothing like it.
Currently my nails aren’t done and I’m rocking my natural hair in all of it’s glory, but my bills are paid and I have enough money in savings to handle an unexpected expense. I know that one day and one day soon I will be able to treat myself to the luxuries of self-care, but right now the only self-care I’m worried about is paying my bills on time.
Jesus tells us in John 10:10, “The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it more abundantly.”
If self-care is stealing your peace, killing your joy, and destroying your bank account – it’s not self-care it’s a photo op for Instagram or TikTok. Be careful.
The Lord tells us in Jeremiah 29:14, “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
The Lord is not concerned with the things of this world, He is concerned with our heart, our mind, our values. And when we place our self-worth in nothing but self-care…Houston, we have a problem.
Now, I’m not saying that self-care isn’t valuable. What I am saying is for it not to let it rule or dictate your life. Write it down. Put it in your budget. Plan for it.
I’m not perfect. I make mistakes all the time. I will write a post detailing my tumultuous history at a later date, but a good friend suggested that this be my first post and I just wanted to share this advise.
If you read this and haven’t accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior and are interested in learning more about the God who “…comes so that [you] may have life and have it more abundantly.” And a God that “…[has] plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and future.” Say the following prayer:
God, please forgive for all of my sins. I know that You are the only one who is powerful enough to wash my sins away. I believe that you died for my sins and rose again so that I may spend eternity with you. I invite you into my life. I am excited to know more about you and the plans that you have for me. Please draw close to me and help me to draw close to you. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
I’m excited for you and your future. Leave a comment or question below.