I ran away yesterday

Did you ever run away when you were a kid?

My mom said I never did.

There is an old Southern saying, “If you don’t crawl before you walk, you’ll crawl before you die.”

I think that’s another way of saying, we’re meant to experience phases of development during specific stages of life. To experience them at inappropriate times can prove harmful.

Well, I guess I’m delayed.

Because yesterday was the first time i ran away from home. And it was my own home!

The stress of the last few months and more importantly the continuing pain from recent surgery finally wore me out. If I stayed home, I would keep working so I needed to run away.

I’d been staining our deck and got to within twenty minutes of finishing but just couldn’t stain one more board. I put everything away, packed my clothes and was out the door in twenty minutes.

I was in survival mode.

I am blessed that I have a place TO go to, our adorable cabin.

But you don’t need a “place” necessarily. There are lots of ways to get away:

• Turn off your phone.

• Pretend you’ve run away.

• Take a whole day and browse a bookstore, go to lunch, a movie.

• Stay home but turn off the TV and just enjoy the quiet or-

• Watch your favorite movie and eat ice cream.

• Spend extra time reading your Bible.

• Pray leisurely. (As opposed to following your list, etc.)

• Read a great novel.

• Give yourself a facial.

• Take a long bath.

• Go for a long walk.

The point is to give yourself a respite.

If you don’t, and especially if you’re prone to feeling “down”, depression can get a foothold.

Foothold-Get it?

I’m already feeling more relaxed and rested. Even took a long nap today. And except for cooking dinner, I’m doing the same thing (or should I say lack of things) tomorrow.

It’s so important we take care of our minds and bodies. Don’t do what I did and wait until you’re exhausted.

There’s nothing selfish in caring for ourselves.

God blesand have a good day.