“me time” deserved?

We take care of our precious babies ALL day, we keep the house as orderly as possible, we bring dinner to the table, and often times we even educate our children. When our husbands come home it’s his turn! Right?! {Yes, they worked hard all day, but we did too!} We’ve given up our time, sleep and free time. We deserve a break!

  As moms, we must have time for “Me Time.” Maybe some shopping, or time out with friends, we should get an equal chance to spend some time without the kids. Right?! I mean, “Me Time” is good for the whole family, because afterwards we’ll be refreshed and therefore a better mom and wife. Right?!

It’s a recurring complaint among moms, {especially stay-at-home moms.}

 “I just need to get away!”    

  “I need a break!”   

     I’m in SO need of a vacation!” 

“My husband doesn’t understand or realize what I go through all day!”

 “My kids are giving me gray hairs!”    

   “I need a massage…a night out…”      

“Mom’s need time to regroup, to pamper ourselves, and feel beautiful again.”

{Please read carefully before you come to any conclusions…hang with me, just a little longer.}

If you are like me, you have interests  and hobbies you like to pursue. {Baking, Sewing, Scrapbooking, Reading, Crafting, etc.…} And sometimes after the kids have been sick or something really stressful happens in life, it’s just nice to get a chance to relax and be able to think. It’s nice to have a “break” so to speak. I believe it is so important for husbands and wives to get out alone from time to time.

The problem I see with “Me Time” is – it’s all about “ME”.

We as Mom’s in general have not come up with the idea of “me time” on our own. It’s been fed to us on a silver platter piled high with woman’s magazines, parenting books, television shows, and even conversations we have with other Mom’s. I mean come on… “We need a break!”

“Me Time” tells us we deserve more.
“Me Time” tells us that we are special.
And “Me Time” tells us that we are martyr’s of motherhood & homemaking.
“Me Time” takes our focus off of others, and put’s it back on US.
“Me Time” attempts to satisfy our own lives.

But, did you know…”Me Time” leaves a lot of empty spaces? Therefore it will never completely refresh us.
“Me Time” won’t answer our prayers, and it defiantly won’t solve our problems! We may feel good while we’re out, but in a few days, we’ll just want more “Me Time.” Because, it will NEVER be enough!

”Me Time” is one of Satan’s lies. 

 Satan wants us to stop doing what we believe is right for our families, because in believing the worldly lies it will cause future generations to start focusing on themselves -therefore leaving GOD out of life. It’s not hard to get us to think this way, our sin nature wants us to be the one on the throne – in place of God. Our society is dowsed & saturated with the notion of “self.” It’s easy to fall into the trap.

{Photo Credit}

Over the last couple years, God has been slowly doing ‘heart surgery’ on me, concerning the topic of “Me Time.” I’m learning to not only love my children, but to enjoy my children! I’m realizing when I’ve spent quality time with my Lord and Savior, my heart changes! And my heart truly controls my outlook on motherhood and life in general.

“Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.” Proverbs 4:23

Don’t get me wrong, I still like to use the bathroom alone, {but most of the time, I’m good.}

I don’t feel the anxiousness, or the desperation to “get out.” I love being with my children.
{When I’m not listening to Satan’s lies, that is.}

I can’t imagine my life without having the opportunity of spending literally 24/7 with my precious Munchkins. When I am away from them…I don’t know what to do with myself, and to be honest, I feel incomplete without them.
{I believe that’s how God intended and designed it to be.}

“For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” Galatians 5:13

“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves.” Philippians 2:3

“Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” I Corinthians 13:4

Please understand that I don’t believe going to the spa, or getting a professional massage and getting a pedicure is wrong. {Though, I personally have never had any one of these “professionally done” – and to be honest, I truly have no desire, nor do I want to take the time for them.} And because I haven’t had these things, I’ve yet to have a meltdown. And I believe I’m sane most days!  

“If we find ourselves in a position where we feel that serving our families gets in the way of serving Christ’s Kingdom, then we should fall on our faces and repent, because, chances are, if we’re not serving the Kingdom, we’re serving ourselves – not anyone else.” –Passionate Housewives Desperate for God

There is nothing wrong with spending time with friends, or refreshing your mind and your heart – as long as we’re not doing it to “get-away-from-it-all.” As Mom’s it’s our responsibility to notice when we need to stop, refresh and relax. Giving ourselves a quiet time in the day or week is very helpful. {Our children need this as well!} We must learn to notice our weak spots that come with exhaustion. And as long as we understand we’re not deprived if we don’t get the opportunity for refreshment, rest and relaxation. Because we all know life happens! We can try and make those quiet moments happen, but we must not piety ourselves if it doesn’t work out. I myself have found many ways to refresh and relax and recoup, without completely abandoning ship. It’s when I’m running away from my husband or children and – running away from the one who truly gives me refreshment, comfort & rest – that’s when I start believing the lies of the world, and start feeling sorry for myself. And that’s when my attitude must be adjusted and turned back on others and not myself.

I’ve scoured the bible, and I’ve yet to find anything about serving self.  All I find is a whole lot of love, dying to self, and serving others. I believe God wants our focus on others, and not ourselves.

When we submit ourselves to God,
 He meets above and beyond all our needs, 
including those for “Me Time.”

This Weeks Challenge:
When you feel the need for “Me Time” this week – think of a way to serve someone else instead.