I am so embarrassed. Yesterday during John’s “quiet time”, he was calling out for me and I went in to check on him and he had ripped a page from a library book to SHREDS. Tiny little pieces everywhere! I was absolutely horrified at what I saw! ?
Oh my gosh. I can totally imagine what that must have looked like!!! ? What did you do? I probably would have cried.
I was close! I gathered up all of those little pieces and spent more time than I care to admit piecing them all together and taping them up. I basically had to make a “page” of packing tape and stick the pieces to the page.
If it makes you feel any better, I’m impressed with your puzzle skills. Lol ?
Ha! I returned the book to the librarian and begged for forgiveness. She just took the book without a second glance and said not to worry about it. She even thanked me for my repair job!
THANK GOODNESS for kind people who don’t make moms feel worse in situations like that!!!
I know! I was expecting some disapproving looks and an immediate fine on my account.
Oh, I’ve made a number of small cash donations to our local library. I view it as my special little charity at this point. Ha!
What a great cause to support ?
So while I was driving home I was playing this whole library book debacle back in my head and I realized that our bodies are a lot like library books. I know it sounds crazy but I wanted to talk this through with someone, so just try to follow me for a second!
OK…I’m with you!
God is like a landlord of our bodies. He’s letting us rent them out for free.
I like thinking of it that way. It’s like He’s saying to us – when you take care of the body I entrusted to you, it makes me so pleased. Like an artist, admiring His handiwork!
Exactly! But sometimes we struggle to maintain His work of art. I know I don’t always make the most healthy choices or move my body as often as I should. And how I view my body can be so off sometimes too!
…..And dropping the Christmas cookies now ??.
Haha! This is exactly what I mean, though! Instead of trying to hide those struggles from God, He wants us to pick up the pieces and bring them to Him.
The amazing part is that He will lovingly put those pieces back together and forgive us without a second thought…just like that sweet librarian.
I think you are so right! Sometimes we want to just push our messy parts aside and forget about them, whether it’s related to our health, our relationships, or our parenting. But God wants to gather those parts up and put us back together in a stronger way. I love that idea.
Amazing that you found such great truth from a really frustrating library book situation!
Thanks! I also learned that John is not to be trusted with library books any time soon! ?
Soaking in the Truth
Scripture to encourage you:
- “Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.”
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NLT - Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11: 28-29 NLT
- No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8: 37-39 NLT
Music to inspire you:
- “Never Too Far Gone” by Jordan Feliz
Readings to come along side you:
- Take Care of Your Body by Pastor Rick’s Daily Hope
- 5 Reasons Why God Wants Us Healthy, Well and Fit by Faith and Health Connection
- Hide This, Not That by True Woman
- For women struggling with their postpartum bodies – Accepting Our Postpartum Bodies by iBelieve
Living Out the Truth
Ideas to try:
- Take a minute to reflect on what you are struggling with right now. Is there something you can bring to God in prayer? Ask Him to help you put the pieces back together.
- Do something healthy for your body TODAY! It doesn’t have to be a lifestyle overhaul – that will just leave you feeling overwhelmed. God sees the season of life you are in and He understands what you are capable of doing in this moment. Eat an extra fruit or vegetable, have a dance party with your kids, park farther away from the store, pass on dessert. Each small choice you make towards your health honors God!
- Reflect on things you may be trying to hide from God. Many of us have areas of our life that we try to keep hidden because we are afraid of how God will respond if they were brought into the light. Soak in the amazing truth that He already knows and loves you anyway, and invite Him into those messy places and ask Him to use them for good. Replace the shame you may feel with God’s deep grace.
{These suggestions are ideas from novice moms. Sometimes our life situations need more. In that case, seeking out professional help is the right call.}