Nurturing the Soul: Spiritual Self-Care for Christian Moms
Motherhood is a profound and beautiful journey, filled with countless joys and challenges. Amidst the whirlwind of daily tasks, from diaper changes to school runs, I often find it easy to overlook my own needs. While physical and emotional self-care often come to mind, I’ve discovered that spiritual self-care is equally essential. Tending to my spiritual well-being has provided me with a deep sense of peace, purpose, and resilience. Here’s why and how I incorporate spiritual self care into my life as a Christian mom and coach.
Understanding Spiritual Self-Care
For me, spiritual self-care involves nurturing my relationship with Jesus and aligning my daily life with my faith. This includes prayer, prioritizing time in the Word, and participating in activities with other women of faith. Engaging in spiritual self-care offers a sanctuary of calm and clarity amid the busyness of daily momlife.
The Importance of Spiritual Self-Care
Peace and Resilience: Spiritual self-care helps me cultivate inner peace through a deeper connection with God. It provides a mental and emotional anchor, helping me remain resilient in the face of challenges, trusting in God's plan and presence.
Perspective: Engaging in spiritual practices offers me a broader perspective on life, reminding me of God's purpose for me. It helps me find meaning and joy in everyday moments and see beyond the immediate stressors.
Emotional Balance: Spiritual self-care habits, such as praise music in the car and Bible study at the start of my day, significantly reduce my stress and anxiety. They promote a sense of calm and balance, which benefits both me and my family.
Ways I Incorporate Spiritual Self-Care
Pray it Out: Prayer is a powerful way for me to connect with God, seek His guidance, and expressgratitude. A few years ago I made a mental switch from having a dedicated “prayer time” to treating prayer more like an ongoing, all-day conversation with God. I think my favorite place to pray is in the car alone, which is convenient when you do a lot of taxiing kids to and from places.
Word Before World: Setting the “verse of the day” to pop up on your phone right after your wake-up alarm is an effective way I remind myself to focus on Jesus before I get distracted by the world. I also really love the “First 5” app, which has virtually unlimited free Bible study plans written by women, for women.
Community: Attending church services and participating in fellowship activities are vital for my spiritual nourishment, but it’s not the only way that cup is filled – coffee dates, group coaching sessions, a likeminded gym partner, and even group texts with other women of faith can be invaluable wells of encouragement and support.
Gratitude Journaling: Keeping a gratitude journal to record daily blessings is a simple yet profound spiritual practice. Reflecting on God's goodness and expressing thankfulness enhances my spiritual well-being and keeps me grounded when the week feels like it is about to spin out of control.
Praise Hands: I worship through music, but I have the world’s worst singing voice. Sometimes I wonder if Jesus is cringing as I sing to Him, but I keep singing. Proof that God has a sense of humor. Whether it’s turning on CeCe Winan’s “Goodness of God” while I’m folding laundry or the Piano: Praise and Worship playlist on Spotify while I’m working at my desk, praise music calms my mind and soothes my soul.
Making Time for Spiritual Self-Care
Finding time for spiritual self-care can be challenging, especially as a busy mom. However, I’ve learned that even small, consistent practices can make a significant difference. I struggle with “quiet time” feeling like one more thing on my daily to-do list, so incorporating spiritual practices into other part of my daily routine lessens my tendency to rush through it to get to the next thing on my list. For instance, I listen to worship music during household chores, pray while I go for a walk around the neighborhood, or read the First 5 devotional on my phone while I’m waiting on football practice to end. Flexibility is key – what matters is intention and consistency.
Conclusion
Spiritual self-care is a vital component of holistic well-being, offering me a profound sense of peace, purpose, and connection. By nurturing my relationship with God, I can better navigate the demands of motherhood with grace and resilience. It’s an investment not just in my own well-being, but in the happiness and harmony of my entire family.
On purpose, for a purpose. Love you, mean it.