The Art of Convalescing Well: REST!

 Years ago, I read a book* about genetically mutated humans that NEVER needed sleep.

As a result, they were able to accomplish more, do more, be more than the rest of the human race. They were the "Sleepless" people who regarded the "Sleepers" as lesser than.

After reading this book, I aspired to be a Sleepless person.

"It's so genius!" I remember thinking. If I could eliminate sleep, just think of all I could do, see and accomplish!!

But.....we were not designed this way.

Humanity has been specifically fashioned to NEED sleep and rest.

Isn't that interesting?

Doesn't it seem like our Almighty Creator God could have developed a more efficient and sleeker design when He made us? One that didn't need to stop-drop-and-rest every few hours?

But he didn't and so we need sleep EVERY single day. We need rest and time to recover, recoup, and renew.

We come to the outer limits of ourselves, I think, so that we remember we are NOT doing life on our own. We are reminded that we need to be plugged into Someone or Something that recharges our bodies, souls, and minds.

And that Someone is God.

It's a little like my phone. It works great until the battery runs out. And then it doesn't work at all until I've left my phone plugged into it's charger for a while.

The need for rest keeps us plugged into God. It keeps us connected on a regular basis because we need that Every-Single- Day connection and reminder that we are never alone in this life.

Truth be told, I'm terrible at Resting. I resist and fight it tooth and nail. But in my life, I've been forced MANY times to REST....and it's done my body, my soul, and my mind good.

Doesn't it awe you that the best way to convalesce and heal is to rest? Not doing more, spending more, thinking more......just rest?

It reminds me that humanity has limitations and a great need for God.

So, today, may you and I find rest. May we be recharged and renewed for the day ahead. And may we always seek our daily connection to a God who provides our rest.

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BV

#womenencouragers #rest #artofconvalescingwell

*"Beggars in Spain" by Nancy Kress.

The Art of Convalescing Well: ASK FOR HELP!

Why is it so incredibly hard to ask for help?

Is it pride?

Is it that deep-rooted sense of separation and individuation developed in toddlerhood; the sense that insists, "I can do it myself!?"

Is it shame? We don't want anyone to see our mess.

Is it guilt? We don't want to be anyone's burden.

Is it fear of being vulnerable, truly vulnerable around others?

We all want to be viewed as someone whose got their stuff together, who's capable and strong, who's independent and able-bodied.

But here's the thing: every single one of us experiences moments of inability, suffering, and hardship in our life. Probably many times over.

And these are moments when we NEED and MUST ask for help.

God has created us for community, after all. He created us to be in relationship with and helpmates for each other.

It's God's way of wrapping his loving arms around us in our times of need....the physical, tangible presence of God in the form of family, friends, neighbors, small group members, co-workers gathering around to help.

But we must ask.

People are not mind-readers.

Did you know that it takes greater courage and strength to ask for help that it does to give it?

When you ask for help, you admit you cannot do this on your own and your vulnerability takes Great Courage and Strength.

So...ask.

Be clear of your needs: I need help with this and this.

Be willing to ask more than just the "expected" people; so often God brings help from unexpected places.

Be thankful and gracious.

In asking for help, you will learn how it feels to be this needy person. You will experience this side of life and become more aware of how to better help others...someday when you are well again.

Ask for help.

We were never meant to convalesce alone.

"All praise to the God and Father....He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so we can be there for that person just as God was there for us." 2 Corinthians 1: 3-5 MSG

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BV

#womenencouragers #convalescewell

#askforhelp #help #community #cascadeofcomfort

The Art of Convalescing Well: REMEMBER

 The Art of Convalescing Well: Remember

There's an important part of healing that we often forget.

In order to convalesce well, we must remember.

Whether we are healing from physical injuries, emotional distress, spiritual trauma, or psychological hurt, we need to remember.

Remembering reminds us of where we've come from and a state that we can get to.

Remembering reminds us that bones knit together, flesh scars, bleeding clots, injuries heal because our bodies were supremely designed by God to heal.

Remembering brings things to the light that would otherwise fester and grow in the darkness.

Remembering can be hard.

Remembering can hurt.

Remembering can be the thing we neglect because we think we are unnecessarily "dwelling on things" or "wallowing".

But remembering the past helps us reflect on the present and remind us how to live better in the future. Remembering helps us recognize where we are coming from and why we are heading in a certain direction.

And I think we must remember in order to understand the person that God is shaping us to be.

So...remember your broken arm.

Remember your incarceration.

Remember the pain of infertility or loss or emotional trauma.

Remember the suicide in your family. Remember the cancer or depression or financial hardships.

And, mostly importantly, remember that God has supremely designed our bodies and minds and lives, our hurts and our hearts to heal. And recover.

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in August 2015. I had chemo, a single breast mastectomy, and radiation. I also had to have a hysterectomy. Years later, I had a reconstructive surgery and yesterday, I had the final reconstructive tweak. I'm feeling all "mic drop! It's over" but I know my story's not done yet. Not while there's breath.

And neither is your story over yet.

So don't forget that in order to convalesce well, we must remember.

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Dear God: "I remember the days of old;

I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands.

Psalm 143:5

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BV

#womenencouragers #remember #convalescewell #healing #cancercantstealmyhope