Our catch phrase for today is:
Recharge your soul batteries.
Women in ministry have a lot of outflow into the hearts and lives of the ones they minister to. But as we all know, there can be no outflow without inflow.
Sometimes our hearts run dry. We find ourselves empty, and service seems to drain us rather than energize us.
What’s the problem when this happens? Well, in my experience, it doesn’t always point back to a deficiency in my relationship with God. Sometimes it’s just the simple fact that I’ve given out more than I have taken in, possibly given out more than I even had to begin with. My reserve is depleted, and weariness of all kinds sets in.
I’ve jotted down a few things that help me recharge. Now, I’m an introvert, so my recharge list might look different than yours. That’s ok! The point is that you figure out what fills your tank and make time for those things.
Here’s my list:
*Seek out true fellowship with Godly people. Sometimes this comes in the form of other women in the church who will openly share spiritual things together. It can also come in the form of conferences and retreats designed to refresh and encourage. But often {in the course of everyday life} for the ministry wife/woman, this type of fellowship comes with other pastors’ wives, other missionary wives, etc. Which brings me to my next point…
*Nurture relationships with other ministry families. Some of my children’s best friends are other PKs. And some of my best friends are other PWs. We share a common bond together because they understand the unique struggles and blessings of being a ministry family. I’m thinking of one pastor’s family in particular that we enjoy spending time with. We always close our time together with “How can we pray for you?” It means the world to both families. I also relish the phone calls from other pastors’ wives who call just to see how things are going. These are relationships to be treasured!
*Read good books from various authors. Did you know you can fellowship with books? Certainly you can! I enjoy reading books that inspire me and that challenge me in my walk with God. I’ve never been much of a fiction girl {no offense to those who love fiction!}, so I tend to stick to real life missionary biographies and Christian life/inspiration type books. Right now I’m reading several great books, including “Loving the Way Jesus Loves” by Phil Ryker. It’s SO convicting. Just what this pastor’s wife needed as I learn to take my love for others to a deeper level.
*Listen to good music. Traditional hymn stylings, classical, cultural, instrumental, vocal, and the list goes on and on. Good music is like soul food- it lifts you above the here and now and helps inspire and refuel you for the future. My Blackberry playbook is {almost} always pouring out something melodious for the benefit of our whole family.
*Establish quiet times. Children tend to think that if it’s not happening loudly, it’s not happening right. Quiet times are hard for them sometimes, aren’t they?! But as I’ve grown older and experienced life and the trials that it brings, I’ve found that I crave quiet times. Granted, quiet is hard to get since I’m a stay at home (homeschooling) mom. That’s why I have to establish quiet times throughout the day/week or they aren’t likely to happen. Even though our children are 7 and almost 5, we have a quiet time every afternoon. It’s more for me than for them at this point, but it definitely helps me recharge for the rest of the day. I also enjoy going to a quiet place in town and reading/writing before entering back into the noise of life.
*Listen to Scripture being read aloud. There is something so powerful about listening to someone read Scripture aloud. I own several CDs of Scripture readings with beautiful music in the background. It never gets old to listen to them, and I am moved every time by the same Scripture. God’s Word is ALIVE and powerful in our lives. It is the source of the strength we need to thrive in ministry.
So…amidst the busyness of life, make time to
Recharge your soul batteries.
“For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.” 2 Corinthians 4:16
Let’s Chat: How do you recharge? What would you add to my list? I love hearing your ideas!
We are a small church. No other ministering family. It makes it challenging as I wear several hats but I do look for my quiet times thru out the day. Mainly I like reading a good devotional for my worship time and prayer time. Many times I will read a good christian book that has a interesting plot. I find, finding friends outside my church family that have their own home church can be relaxing. We can share familair hurts frustrations joys and prayers without stepping on toes.
Many times we go to sleep listening to scripture being read outloud.
Going for a evening drive and listening to worship music.
How ever it is done as long as you have time for you. As a young mother, a subsy soak in the tub with a good book while kids ere napping would re vamp me
Enjoying your articles and your challenges
Yes, in the smaller areas it is harder to recharge with other ministry families. And it does help to have friends outside of your own church- I do as well. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and ideas!
Well I’m an extrovert yet our lists are so similar 😉 I loved how you started this by saying that our need for refreshing isn’t always as a result of our lack of time with the Lord. I know that i have found myself being depleted and not even realizing it, and I must recharge even DEEPER! A few things that I have added to this list, warm tea on the patio (we live in the mountian/hills of Fresno so no street lights here) at night when the kiddo’s are in bed, looking up at the stars, just talking with my Lord. (by the way every night, and I mean every night, we see a shooting star!!) Another outlet for me on this list is that i love to design, decorate and bake. I love this!!! It is very refreshing to create!!! (now mind you this is adding to the above list) I’m so thankful for the co-laborers God has placed in our path, other Pastors and their families. Having a fellowship time with them is also a blessing. I also like to do some window shopping with other pastors wives and getting a jamba juice, and just enjoy each others company. There something special about being with other Spiritual Warriors who have similar battle scars who just love and pray for one another. One final thing that we do often is late night fire-pit with our family. My kids need the refreshing too, and every Friday night in the fall, we light the fire, bring out the marsh-mellows, guitar, and just soak up each others company singing songs. It’s awesome!!!
Love the list!!!
Sounds like you have some great ideas for recharging. And yes, having hobbies does the same thing. I actually wrote another post on hobbies for later in the series, so watch for it. 🙂 Thanks for sharing your ideas, Laurie!
I have to ditto the quiet time. We don’t have children yet but my hubby and I have started a “no technology hour.” We turn everything we can to the off mode (except his phone, just in case of an emergency, but it does go to silent or vibrate). This hour we spend with each other, talking, playing with the dog, walking,reading books together, or family devos. It has quickly become my favorite part of the day to unplug and spend some time recharging with my best friend.
Great great great Idea Becky!!!! I love the no technology hour!!! so good
I agree with Laurie- I love the no technology hour! We don’t even have cell phones (I know, dinosaurs!) so it’s a bit easier to go out for a walk and be gadget free. 🙂 But I like your idea of having it planned ahead of time into your schedule!
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