She was standing in front of the bouquets of flowers, with a shopping basket in one hand, purse slung across her shoulder, and her hair tired from a long day at the office. It was rush hour, when women from all walks of life intersected at Trader Joe’s to pick up food for dinner.
“Hard to decide what to pick, huh?” I turned to smile, standing next to her.
“Yeah,” she answered with a chuckle, probably to be polite. She wore a cool pair of spectacles and a cute wrinkle in her nose when she smiled.
“What are you deciding between?” I asked.
My new friend told me she’s not sure. She said she’ll often stand there, unable to choose. Then, she’ll go home with her groceries, without any flowers.
“That used to happen to me all the time, ” I said. “I wouldn’t be able decide between the flowers I really wanted and the ones that cost less . . . ”
“YES! Exactly!” my bespectacled friend interjected. She turned to me now with recognition. We were of the same tribe. Women who were unable to bring flowers home to enjoy.
“I’d talk myself out of it,” I confided. “I’d say, It’s not worth it. They’ll only last a few days. I later realized what I was actually saying was, I am not worth it. What I find joy in for a few days isn’t worth it.”
“So true,” my friend nodded with wide-eyed agreement.
I asked her if there were flowers she’d loved as a little girl, if there were flowers she liked more as she grew up.
This stranger-become-kindred-spirit started sharing stories about why sunflowers made her happy. They reminded her of summer and riding her bike with a white basket adorned with a plastic sunflower. But lately, she was drawn to hydrangeas because they were soothing.
“Your stories are special,” I said. “There’s something about flowers. About how God made them. How God made us. I read that scientific studies show simply looking at flowers improves emotional health.”
“Really?!” My friend was intrigued.
“A Harvard study even showed that women who had the morning-blahs, who usually didn’t buy flowers, experienced a boost in energy and their moods lifted, lasting throughout the day, by seeing flowers in the kitchen first thing in the morning.”
“How do you know all this?” she asked.
I told her I had lost my spark a few years ago. I had been good at taking care of others and getting things done. But I hadn’t been good at nurturing my own heart or taking care of my well-being. So I became overwhelmed with stress, even though I was good at working hard, pleasing others, surviving, and pushing through. But in my honest moments, I longed to find my spark again: to experience God’s peace and joy in a fresh, intimate way.
Women are heroes when it comes to loving and caring for others. But why is it so hard to give ourselves permission to rest and refresh, when we’re stressed and need it most?
My friend began to share. I listened.
“You are worth it,” I told her, as I looked in her eyes, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. “You are worth taking care of.”
Deep inside us, God created an inner spirit that needs nurturing. We were made to be loved, cared for, and given attention. We all need permission to take better care of ourselves. We all need a friend to help us remember we are like beautiful flowers blossoming in the fields.
As we picked out our flowers, I invited her to connect with me online. I told her I’m an author leading a community of women like us: kindred spirits on the journey to nurture our soul and find our spark again. As we said goodbye, I whispered, Thank You, God.
Come to me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28 (NIV)
God doesn’t want us to do more for Him. He longs to take care of us and whisper words of love and peace.
Instead of layering on guilt when you feel stressed, let God love you by getting some tender love and care.
Rest in your loving Savior’s arms. Take one day at a time. God will provide.
Thank you, Bonnie, for extending self-care to the regions beyond our bodies and for affirming the practice of listening to our own hearts. It’s easy to lose ourselves on the list of demands, or to feel as if soul care is selfish and me-first, when truly, (as April Yamasaki reminded me in her book 4 Gifts), self-care is not me-first, but, rather, me too!
And my sunflowers, growing in stately rows on my hill-top garden give me so much joy, whether inside in a vase or outside turning their faces to the sun!
Oh, you love sunflowers, Michele! What a blessing you can just look out and see them – and enjoy them, just like turning to the God’s love for you! Love the idea of “me too” as a prompt for self-care! thnx for sharing!
We all seem to need a long hard road to teach us these things. I have learned (through loss of health) that God wants me to BE for Him, not DO. Doing looks so productive, but BEING like Christ is much more long-lasting. And BE with JOY!!! We need to have those moments of rest with Him and nurture ourselves. My teenage son brought me some flowers from his garden into a vase on my kitchen table and the joy they bring me is beautiful. So special and sweet!
Thank you Bonnie and Ruth, for that much needed word in due season. I have a husband, 3 teenagers, 1 Jr Higher, and 2 middle schoolers. We homeschool 4 of the 6, so there’s always “something else” on the daily growing “to do” list. I’ve been quietly experiencing subtle but clear signs that I need to take care of my own physical and emotional health. But I either feel guilty for doing it, or am not sure what I’d like to do for myself if it’s not a necessity. I can totally relate to the article because I usually operate by the principle of need vs wants. What I want is usually disqualified. So yes, the next time I want a simple pleasure like flowers, I think I’ll help myself.
Bless you for sharing and serving your family, following your calling to homeschool your kids, Rhonda – and how you’re now hearing God’s gentle calling to nurture yourself – are your emotional and physical self. Esp. since you pour our so much, even MORE is worth it -that *you* are worth filling up and nurturing. I love how you are aware of what’s holding you back, because it means you are wanting to break out and these inner critical voices are trying to keep you in a box – but you know what the Holy Spirit is calling you out to receive. I think I’ll use your wonderful, wise and vulnerable self revelations you’re sharing here to encourage other women and address those hesitations (because you are among good company and it’s common feeling for us all. It’s very normal to feel this way), as I encourage them in my September Soul Care challenge! 🙂 It sounds like God’s whispering to you “You are worth it. I love seeing you light up with joy!” I hope if you feel inspired, to join me for September Soul Care Challenge on Instagram or Facebook @thebonniegray – I’d love to cheer you on to inspire nurturing yourself, the one God loves seeing at rest and sparked with joy. thank you for sharing!
I home school too, Rhonda, and can TOTALLY understand where you are coming from. I, too, used to put everyone else’s needs ahead of mine and get through my long ‘to-do’ list but I have learned to look after myself, not selfishly, but for the good of the whole family. I now do less, but still get the essentials done. Enjoy the special you that God created and enjoy those flowers!!
What a loving, soulful son you have, Ruth! I’m sure his world lights up when he sees your smile, as you received those flowers. When you experience joy, with the things that bring a smile to your heart and fill your tank, your joy then flows to those around you. You son sounds like God’s whisper to you “You are worth it. I love seeing you light up with joy!” I hope if you feel inspired, to join me for September Soul Care Challenge on Instagram or Facebook @thebonniegray – I’d love to cheer you on to inspire nurturing yourself, the one God loves seeing at rest and sparked with joy. thank you for sharing!
Bonnie,
Before I even read your post, I was thinking about how I should go get flowers to take to my friend who had eye surgery and was just beginning to see again out of her badly bruised, black and blue eye. I thought, wouldn’t it be wonderful for her to see something beautiful? So many times I think of flowers for others, but I usually pass on flowers for myself. I tell myself I don’t need to spend an extra $5.99, and certainly not $9.99 on myself. You’ve got me wondering what God would think of my decision? Me, His priceless creation, I don’t deem worthy enough to pick up a $10. bouquet once in a blue moon?? Knowing they help our mental health and state of mind….I can now rationalize that they are a medicinal need. All joking aside, we/I do need to get better at self care. It’s not selfish, it’s blessing God to recognize how fearfully and wonderfully made, I am. Beautiful post. Your words always speak to me….
Blessings,
Bev xx
Wow, the Holy Spirit is definitely whispering this message to you – you’re hearing it everywhere you go, Bev! 🙂 lol That extra $4 – think of a latte or cappuccino at Starbucks – and that only lasts 10 minutes? 🙂 and these flowers will last days!! So, go for it – that $10 is worth it!! the joy that will flow from it! and it is “soul medicine” – by research of how God has made us! 🙂 the Word in action when Jesus said, “Look at the flowers… see how God cares for them, how much more than you?” love how you’re now hearing God’s gentle calling to nurture yourself – are your emotional and physical self. It sounds like God’s whispering to you “You are worth it. I love seeing you light up with joy!” I hope if you feel inspired, to join me for September Soul Care Challenge on Instagram or Facebook @thebonniegray – I’d love to cheer you on to inspire nurturing yourself, the one God loves seeing at rest and sparked with joy. thank you for sharing!
Bev, You deserve some beautiful flowers for everything you have gone through for awhile now! Every day I see where you write a note, I am reminded to pray for you. Hopefully you will soon be able to walk pain free. Enjoy some flowers while you are still alive.
Frances,
What sweet, sweet words and thank you for the prayers. Praise the Lord, I’ve been doing better with my back for about two weeks, though I think I may have overdone it a little yesterday – getting ready for hurricane Florence heading right toward us. People are really taking this one seriously. Prayers welcomed.
Bless you,
Bev xo
Thank you, Bonnie, for sharing this reminder. I’m blessed to have a husband who’ll often buy flowers for our home because he knows I love them. It’s funny how he doesn’t waste much time or thought deciding what he wants to buy, but if I’m buying for myself I’m just like your new friend from the grocery store. I’m indecisive about what to get and whether or not it’s worth the money. Lately, I’ve been a bit haphazard about caring for my body, too. The lack of care is beginning to take its toll on me, probably more emotionally than physically. I needed to be reminded this morning that I am a priority and I’m worth taking care of. I have lots of things I need and want to do. Can’t do much or any of it if I’m not healthy.
What a loving, soulful husband you have, Monica! Give that loving hubby of yours a big hug, he’ll be so jazzed to hear the scientific research and benefits he’s given you on loving his wife!! Way to go! 🙂 I’m sure his world lights up when he sees your smile, as you received those flowers. When you experience joy, with the things that bring a smile to your heart and fill your tank, your joy then flows to those around you. You hubby sounds like God’s whisper to you “You are worth it. I love seeing you light up with joy!” and Iove how you’re hearing God’s gentle calling to nurture yourself – are your emotional and physical self. What a sensitive soul you are to His voice! I hope if you feel inspired, to join me for September Soul Care Challenge on Instagram or Facebook @thebonniegray – I’d love to cheer you on to inspire nurturing yourself, the one God loves seeing at rest and sparked with joy. thank you for sharing!
Monica, thank you for the comment about your husband. I was reading this and thinking flowers aren’t even much of an option in our home. (We live abroad and you just don’t see flowers much!) But I have the same debate over ice cream. It’s hot and sometimes it just sounds good! But it’s impractical, it melts, it’s money I don’t need to spend. But every once in a while my husband will come home with ice cream for me. And often, it’s literally just for me – a small container. Other times he will come with enough for us to share. But it does whisper to my soul that I’m worth it. God speaks through my husband at times.
Bonnie, thank you for this timely reminder. It is so easy to worry about everyone else but me, to take care of their needs. It’s ok for me to spend a few minutes taking care of me. This truth is easy to ignore. Thank you.
Thank you for this post Bonnie. This was one I needed to hear this morning as anxiety in my life tries to get the upper hand, and I’ve been fighting with God to pull it out.
Over the weekend, my toddler son stuck a bead up his nose, which required a call to the doctor right when he and his brother were about to nap. The doctor on call suggested a home remedy we could try which required me going to the pharmacy to pick up a $10 bottle of spray. The alternate list to take my son to urgent care. We chose to try the spray. By God’s mercy, it worked, but it really got me thinking about the value of money. Normally I would’ve balked at purchasing something for a potentially one time use for $10. When I compared it to the price of an urgent care visit, it was quite a bargain!
Your reminder is exactly the tie in I needed that sometimes what we pay for self-care is very worth it in the long run!
oh, I love how you’re such a sensitive listening spirit to what God is showing you, Sarah – even in something stressful that happened this weekend!l ove how you’re now hearing God’s gentle calling to nurture yourself – are your emotional and physical self. It sounds like God’s whispering to you “You are worth it. I love seeing you light up with joy!” Esp. as you pour out to your little one (who needs continues care and draw from your tank (that’s what these little ones do lol)), you deserve to get your tank reserves replenished! Praise God btw that you had the guts to go for the bottle first and administer it (that happened to us when our little caleb was a toddler, and it’s scary cuz we’ve never done it before, right?) This is the begnning of a new journey – the anxiety not something to be afraid of, but a powerful prompt to you that God wants more for you, than survival. He cares about YOU, your needs and desires. IT’s the beginning of a new journey of soul care and self care, sweet friend. I’ve been tehre healing from anxiety, and I want to let you know how very beloved you are. this is a time of being kind and gentle to yourself as you discover how you can take care of yourself, for as you pour out, you need extra pouring in! 🙂 I hope if you feel inspired, to join me for September Soul Care Challenge on Instagram or Facebook @thebonniegray – I’d love to cheer you on to inspire nurturing yourself, the one God loves seeing at rest and sparked with joy. thank you for sharing!
Thank you so much for your encouragement Bonnie, it means so much to me.
Your most recent devotionals have met me exactly where I’m at. I’m not on Instagram or Facebook though, so I went ahead and purchased your most recent book. I’d love to join a community of like-minded people, but can’t do either of those (I had to cut ties with Facebook a few years ago since I found myself addicted to it). So for now your encouragement and book will be most helpful!
I am working extremely hard to get out of an emotionally and verbally abusive relationship with my daughter’s father. I put my daughter’s feelings and future above my own. (Don’t we often do this as mothers?). But, my minister pointed out that I seem to be prioritizing her father’s feelings over my own. I’m struggling to find a way to take care of myself. PLEASE pray that my daughter and I are able to get out of this unhealthy situation soon.
Dear Elizabeth, thank you for confiding in such a hard and painful invitation from God to ask you to separate from a verbally and emotionally abusive person in your life. By making healthy changes for yourself, you ARE also prioritizing yoru daughter’s emotional and verbal health and shielding her by showing her to stand up to someone who doesn’t treat you the way God would treat you, with love and respect. I have had to disconnect from an emotional and verbal abusive mother in order to heal and start to learn to take care of myself and I couldn’t do it in a toxic environment, and it has become my ministry as I healed and it transformed my life into joy, beauty and peace, and also my family with my children! I did it because I wanted to prioritize my childrn’es emotional health. So, I understand how painful and broken this journey is, but I say with loving sister-in-Christ encouragement, Jesus does not want any person to have power over us , to hurt us. And emotional and verbal abuse has the same effect as physical abuse (this is from my expert PTSD expert therapist). You may be very encouraged by my journey to heal from emotional PTSD in my first book (Finding Spiritual Whitespace: Awakening Your Soul to Rest). It will give you confidence to provide safety and healing for yourself and also for your daughter, because she IS impacted by seeing her mother heal and be free. Get support from those who understand. You dont’ need to do this alone. And if yo’ure daughter is a teenager, she can also read the book with you, after you’ve read it and receive dit for yourself first and feel comfortable with these conversations with her. I hope if you feel inspired, to join me for September Soul Care Challenge on Instagram or Facebook @thebonniegray – I’d love to cheer you on to inspire nurturing yourself, the one God loves seeing at rest and sparked with joy. thank you for sharing! I also wrote an article here on (in)courage about emotional PTSD that I think will really bless and encourage you on thsi journey!! pass onto your duagher if she is a teen or you can summarize for age appropriate, so you can help her as you feel encouraged! 🙂 love and hugs to you from CA here to you, friend! https://aws.incourage.me/2017/10/worried-depressed-doesnt-mean-faith-flawed.html
Bonnie, I could cry. I needed your words today. And of all flowers, sunflowers hold a special place in my heart – my blog’s logo is a sunflower and is based around the idea of “look up sometimes”…how sunflowers bask in the sunshine and grow toward the light – just as Son-followers bask in His Sonshine and grow toward the Light (of the world). How I have to learn to enjoy grace, because somehow it doesn’t come naturally. But today? I’m experiencing such back pain that it necessitated canceling an appointment, caused extra work for my husband getting the kids to school, on top of caring for me (just diagnosed with Lyme). Bonnie, your words are balm, like a note straight from Jesus. Thank you.
wow, everything you wrote is so, so, so beautiful! I can see your heart in so many ways like that sunflower, opening up as your read the post and God was touching your heart so deeply. In your moment of need, I can see how all these recent discoveries about Lyme and also such searing back pain can make you feel so disconnected from what has been your “strong-self”. May this be a beginning of a new journey of self-care and soul-care, and learning to receive the love your husband is giving to you. I can imagine the concerns on your sweet hubby’s heart, as I’m sure as you give yourself permission and grace to heal and learn new ways to adapting different healthy rhythms,I’m thinking God will use all your learn to bless your family. It will help him to see that the love he’s giving you is blessing you, as you receive his gift. You’re worth it. And you can take better care of your hubby and each other, as the changes take time during this season of learning a new normal. It’s going to be okay, Pearl. You re going to be okay, Pearl. Your husband will be okay. Your kids will be okay. God will help you. And I love how I love how you’re now hearing God’s gentle calling to nurture yourself – are your emotional and physical self. you are among good company. God’s whispering to you “You are worth it. I love seeing you light up with joy!” I hope if you feel inspired, to join me for September Soul Care Challenge on Instagram or Facebook @thebonniegray – I’d love to cheer you on to inspire nurturing yourself, the one God loves seeing at rest and sparked with joy. thank you for sharing!
Bonnie, thank you! *happy tears* The Lord bless you and keep you, sister! I’m following you on Instagram now. 🙂
I have the same problem at Trader Joe’s . I really needed to read this devotion today. I have been taking much better care of myself since the start of the year and lately have been feeling guilty about it. God designed us with great care; we need to take care of His investment so we can better care for others.
Ah, ha! We are of the same tribe, right sister? 🙂 lol I love this wise deep spark of discovery and realization, Denise : “God designed us with great care; we need to take care of His investment so we can better care for others.” Wow. You just encouraged me! 🙂 I think I may just share this with the women who will be going through the September Soul Care Challenge – I hope if you feel inspired, to join in on Instagram or Facebook @thebonniegray – I’d love to cheer you on to inspire nurturing yourself, the one God loves seeing at rest and sparked with joy. thank you for sharing!
Bonnie, THANK YOU!! What a timely, lovely post. Your words always speak volumes to my soul.
Last week, I just bought a new flower vase specifically for weekly fresh cut flowers, and I cannot wait to fill it with daisies or sunflowers or roses or hydrangeas! Thank you, Lord, for your creation! And thank you again for your post, Bonnie!
Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow!
Joy in Jesus,
Lara <
Oh, wow! Lara!! I can’t wait to see what flower you full your vase with!! Love how you listened and got that vase! What a sensitive soul you are to the Holy Spirit as He prompted you to do that! 🙂 fun!! Share a pic and share with me @thebonniegray on IG or FB (I’ll be asking women to do this as a soul care challenge, so it’s so exciting to see us all share as a community!) I hope if you feel inspired, to join in for September Soul Care Challenge on Instagram or Facebook @thebonniegray – I’d love to cheer you on to inspire nurturing yourself, the one God loves seeing at rest and sparked with joy. thank you for sharing!
I an facing with all the love of my husband some skin cancer that I have had in the long before past. My gracious God says care for yourself as I have cared for you. I hear His voice saying be still. I am encouraged by your words and encourage all of sisters and brothers to care for themselves with His grace. God bless
Dear Diane, I’m so sorry that you’re having to go through the unsettling discovery of skin cancer, and gather your courage to begin the journey of healing and recovery. I thank God for your loving husband, seeing how He is providing for you through his care. I love how you have a sensitve spirit to hear God whisper “care for yourself as I have cared for you. ” How beautiful his Holy Spirit speaks the words we need in every season and what a gift of encouragement you have, even as you share in your own journey! Lord Jesus, may you take care of Diane one day at a time, as she heals and bless her loving husband as he is your voice of love to Diane during this season. In Jesus’ name, Amen. I hope if you feel inspired, to join me for September Soul Care Challenge on Instagram or Facebook @thebonniegray – I’d love to cheer you on to inspire nurturing yourself, the one God loves seeing at rest and sparked with joy. thank you for sharing!
Thank you Bonny for the topic of self care. God is using you to reach me today. I haven’t done much for self care in so long…. It has been probably 3 months since I have gotten together with friends for breakfast or anything. God has even slowed my scheduled down with the change in my son’s sports preference for the fall. This lessens the load between his brother and him having sports in the fall. I need to rest in His love and give myself the rest, peace and find joy again in this life I am living. I need replenishment to help my overall wellness. Thank you again for writing about how important it is for us to have self care. Have a blessed day! God I am listening…
What a wonderful sensitive spirit you have for what God is whispering to you in this season to replenish and restore your wellness, Amy God has taken such care to create you and make you such a special person, Amy. You are worth the investment that God has taken such great attention to love on. I love your ending prayer, “God I am listening”. This is one of my favorite breath prayers. So powerful. May God spark lots of ideas during this fall as opportunity to give yourself permission to use that loosened schedule to invest in your wellbeing! I have two boys 9-12 in soccer and I totally GET what you’re saying in terms of breathing space among the soccer schedule. 😉 So, seize this opportunity, cuz as a felllow mom, we don’t know what will change next season right? 🙂 lol I hope if you feel inspired, to join me for September Soul Care Challenge on Instagram or Facebook @thebonniegray – I’d love to cheer you on to inspire nurturing yourself, the one God loves seeing at rest and sparked with joy. thank you for sharing!
I think this is why I enjoy my flower garden and all the flowers in my yard, on my back patio and front porch and I am not a green thumb at all. Their beauty lifts us even when we aren’t aware of it, I think God planned it that way because of His love and care for us.
yes! wow – what a beautiful soul care spa your garden must be, Kathy!! 🙂 “Their beauty lifts us even when we aren’t aware of it, I think God planned it that way because of His love and care for us.” that’s the exciting part of discovering all these sceintific studies alilgn with what God has created for us, it’s so poweful! I hope if you feel inspired, to join me for September Soul Care Challenge on Instagram or Facebook @thebonniegray – I’d love to cheer you on to inspire nurturing yourself, the one God loves seeing at rest and sparked with joy. thank you for sharing!
Wow , thank you Bonnie !
I definitely am in that same tribe…
I love fresh flowers and never buy them for myself although I’ve said I would, I find they are too expensive or not a necessity.
Thanks to you as I go out to get a few groceries later, I plan to get myself a nice little bouquet to place on my kitchen bar so I can see them each new morning. I think I need some bright ones as it’s been so wet and dreary here lately, need that pop .
Thanks for the reminders as I know we too often care for everyone else, often neglecting our selves.
Have a great new week ladies and know we are, you are worth it and do something special to treat yourself this week.
Hello, fellow kindred spirit!! We are of the same tribe, Amy! lol Wow, the Holy Spirit is definitely whispering this message to you, too! 🙂 lol That extra $4 – think of a latte or cappuccino at Starbucks – and that only lasts maybe 10-15 minutes? 🙂 and these flowers will last DAYS!! So, go for it – that $10 is worth it!! the joy that will flow from it! and it is “soul medicine” – by research of how God has made us! 🙂 the Word in action when Jesus said, “Look at the flowers… see how God cares for them, how much more than you?” love how you’re now hearing God’s gentle calling to nurture yourself – are your emotional and physical self. It sounds like God’s whispering to you “You are worth it. I love seeing you light up with joy!” Share a pic and share with me @thebonniegray on IG or FB, if you’re up for sharing when you get your flowers this week sometime.. 🙂 (I’ll be asking women to do this as a soul care challenge sometime this month, so it’s so exciting to see us all share as a community!)I hope if you feel inspired, to join me for September Soul Care Challenge on Instagram or Facebook @thebonniegray – I’d love to cheer you on to inspire nurturing yourself, the one God loves seeing at rest and sparked with joy. thank you for sharing!
Good morning Bonnie, thank you so very much for this post. I have been in a state of mind that I am so overwhelmed with a lot. I feel guilty about not helping others enough, not visiting friends, spending time with my husband. My mother lives with us and it has taken a toll on us and me, personally. I tend to be busy with other stuff but not for me. I need to go and buy me flowers. Thank you for giving me permission to “spend time for me”. God bless you.
Hi Irene, thank you for sharing vulnerably how you’re now hearing God’s gentle calling to nurture yourself – are your emotional and physical self. Esp. since you pour our so much, even MORE is worth it -that *you* are worth filling up and nurturing — and also nurutring your husband with time together. I love how you are aware of what’s holding you back, because it means you are wanting to break out as you sense what the Holy Spirit is gently calling you out to receive. Know that the way you feel is very natural, you are among good company and it’s common feeling for us all.
You are first priority in God’s heart. *you*. Before anything you can do or provide for anyone, Jesus is gently, tenderly focused all his attention and care of you and how you are doing. It sounds like God’s whispering to you “You are worth it. I love seeing you light up with rest and joy!” as for those flowers.. That extra $4 – think of a latte or cappuccino at Starbucks – and that only lasts maybe 10-15 minutes? and these flowers will last DAYS!! So, go for it – that $10 is worth it!! the joy that will flow from it! and it is “soul medicine” – by research of how God has made us! the Word in action when Jesus said, “Look at the flowers… see how God cares for them, how much more than you?” I hope if you feel inspired, to join me for September Soul Care Challenge on Instagram or Facebook @thebonniegray – I’d love to cheer you on to inspire nurturing yourself, the one God loves seeing at rest and sparked with joy. thank you for sharing!
Bonnie,
Yes & amen! I was/am good at taking care of others. Making sure they are ok, have food to eat, etc. Often times I forgo things to help others. Not giving myself much needed down time. I don’t often spend much money on myself. I don’t usually allow myself little treats thinking I/we need to save for this or that. Your book Whispers of Rest helped me to relearn Soul Care & Spiritual White Space is very important. If we don’t take time to care for ourselves how can we have anything left to pour into our family & friends? Now I’m not a flower person. Like your friend I say why spend money on something that won’t last long. For me soul care is more about time alone with God. A good massage or just some Christian music to listen to.
Blessings 🙂
Thank you!! I pray for a person like you in my life
Bonnie,
Thank-you for sharing your words that have once again deeply effected me. The way in which you reached out to the lady at the store was so thoughtful. Sunflowers have always been special to me, but ever since my Aunt brought some potted ones to my Mother’s service years ago, they’ve taken on a whole new meaning for me, hope and faith. Yes life goes on, and while we’re here it’s okay to take better care of ourselves.
Have a blessed day all,
Penny
Bonnie, As you usually do..you hit the nail on the head & all I can say is “Wow”. I love doing & buying & making things for others; but have never considered “me” unless you count all the flowers in my flower beds; but to have a bouquet in the house..now that is something I will do.. Thanks dear one!
My mother is one of those people but I caught her her taking silk flowers from bathroom and arranging them in a centerpiece, she’s getting better. But she was always like that about getting an FTD bouquet or roses, they will just die. I used to put Sprite or 7 UP in them and get maybe a week or 10 days. Flowers, perfume and candy, bare necessities for most of us.
Bonnie, you speak straight to my heart on this topic. Well actually with every topic. I feel as if I had known you forever and that brings a huge smile in my heart! I miss my best friend so much since her passing in January and like you mentioned, I keep on taking care of others while neglecting me. I am not worth it cause I had not been able to save her. She was too young to leave. And so I do things for others, encourage others up while my soul is drowning in grief. I don’t know what else to do and fear if I had too much time to dwell on her passing, I may never pull myself out of it, out of this despair. I know God believes I am worth it, He died on the cross for me, yet my hurting heart cannot seem to hear His word right now. It’s September, 8 months since she’s been gone, you would think I am a little better now. Thank you Lord for loving me despite my feeling of unworthiness and thank you Bonnie for sharing. Time I have heard will ease the pain somewhat but I sure miss you Mai Yer.
Bonnie thank you for this beautiful story.
You’re right, we’re great at taking care of others but not ourselves. We are at the bottom of our priority list. I wish I could say it was because of my enormously loving, kind and compassionate heart, but truthfully it’s because it feels unnecessary. I’m fine without those flowers or that new lipstick I’ve been dying to try, aren’t I? Yes, and no. We are worth investing in, loving and being seen. Especially by ourselves.
thank you again.
Yellow flowers are my favorite to buy for my kitchen! Yellow is my favorite color and cut flowers in the daisy family can last well beyond a week. And there is usually a $5 bundle where I shop. Just walking by the flowers on the sideboard in my kitchen or on the mantle in the family room will lift my spirit!
Hi Bonnie . . . I was sad and a bit depressed earlier, it could not say ‘why’. I read your devotional, and YES, I DO need some Soul Care. I’ve signed up,several times in the past for your Whispers of Rest Book, but unfortunately did NOT follow through after the 1st couple of days. I lost my husband almost 1-1/2 years ago due to a brain tumor, and still going through anxiety and depression periods. Just now ‘recovered’ from depression resulting in health issues 5 months ago. Thankfully health issues,were not serious, but at times still feeling ‘unsettled’. Thanks to my Dear Loving Family and their Continued Loving Support, I am doing better, except for the sad moments earlier today. I asked God to please draw me near tomHimmand o let me know know He is near. Within minutes, a bright ray of sunlight appeared in my patio! I have signed up for your Soul Care trainingmand will read and do all the assignments! Thank YOU, dear Bonnie, for,your Words of Encouragement, which I really needed today!