A word from our Mentor

Last meeting Jenny C. spoke on coping with fatigue in her devotional.

Fatigue is a widespread and chronic problem for people of varying ages, especially mommas. How do we/you cope with the blahs? How do you energize yourself? Does God's plan for you always include being tired? How can you live a balanced life-doing and ministering to others when you don't want to get up off the couch?

First and foremost, be sure your fatigue is not a result of illness. See a doctor to make  sure you are healthy. Have regular checkups.

Second, get plenty of rest. Give up that common past time of "burning the candle at both ends". If you want to be energized for daily living, you must learn to balance work with relaxation, recreation and worship. In the New Testament, Jesus siad that if you are weary, come to Him and He will give you rest. His rest is for the body and for the soul!

Third, your body needs to exercise regularly. Strange as it sounds, exercise counteracts fatigue. When you think you can't put one foot in front of the other again, go play ball with your child, mop the floor, sweep the steps, etc. If you have not proved this to yourself before, try it! It is true! When you are weary in the body and mind, get your muscles working. Even in Eden, God had plans for Adam and Eve to do physical work.

Fourth, remember that tired toughts result in tired bodies. Negative, unhappy, gloomy thoughts cause muscles to sag and vitality to disappear mysteriously. When we are with complaining, self-pitying, negative people, we find the energy drained right out of us. At times there are situations in our lives that are serious and we do have heavy thoughts, but regularly choose to think positive. In Philippians 4:8 Paul tells us what to think about, things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely and of good report. This is a formula to help us have vitality in our life.

Fifth, have a purpose, a mission and a dream! Have something to anitcipate and work toward that goal,it will generate energy and enthusiasm. It could be a big dream, or a small activity. It could be a 30 minute time of being along or working on your favorite hobby undisturbed; or planning a trip with your family next year. Enthusiasm and energy comes from anticipating a desired activity or event.

Sixth, keep your faith alive. Each of us needs time to regenerate our energy supply through regular Bible reading, meditating, prayer and corporate worship. Duke University Medical Center reports in an article called "Aging and God" that faith not only re-energizes us but also helps us to live longer and better lives. Through studies they have descovered that people of faith who attend church frequently have lower blood pressure and fewer strokes; lower rates of depression, anxiety, alcoholism, and a greater sense of well being. And people of faith adapt better to the rigors of physical illness and disability.

If your problem is fatigue, you can learn to energize yourself. As Isaiah 30:15 reminds us "in quietness and in trust shall be your strength".

"Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 401:31

From Get a Faith Lift by Nell W. Mohney

Our Last Meeting

Hope that all the great mommas out there have had a wonderful Merry Christmas and plan to have a delightfully Happy New Year.

Last we all met we had the opportunity to hear from a great, great speaker.......Judy Magnussen, LPC-MHSP from Elbow Tree. Here is her outline for her uplifting speach:

                              Delightful Mothering: De-Stressing Your Legacy

Live in Reality

    1. One Can't Do It All
              Common themes in counseling
         a. Over-compensating for the other parent's harshness
         b. Over-compensating for one's lack in one's own up-bringing
         c. Parenting by "guilt"
         d. Being "over-responsible" for another's irresponsibility
         e. The "Messiah Complex"

   2. Ask For and Receive Help
       a. Mother's Day Out Programs (Such as our MOPS meetings)
       b. Support Groups
       c. Counselin
       d. Trade out babysitting

   3. Take Time for Yourself
       a. Have time alone daily to do what you enjoy
       b. Maintain your own identity

   4. De-Stressing Techniques
       a. Consciously slo down and breath deeply
       b. Nurture your body and mind
       c. Use the "Seven -Minute" rule (Take 7 mins prior to going to bed, entering home after work, etc. and
           just take in positive energy and refuse to complain about the day)

Reality Check

      a. You are a woman of worth, value and dignity. You have a right to live that way.
      b. Your children are also people of worth, value and dignity and deserve to live as such.
      c. Your season of mothering pre-schoolers will pass.

If you would like to find out more about Elbow Tree go to http://www.elbowtree.com/ or email Judy questions to judy@elbowtree.com Phone 423-517-7070 x3