Self Care part 4
Taking care of others is how we take care of ourselves, but there has to be a balance where we don't hurt ourselves. If I try to do something I can't do... I'm probably just going to make things worse. And that doesn't help anybody. So when I quote my memory verse for today, Philippians 2:4, I'm going to try to explain it as best I can. "Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others." Now there is an important word there--also. Because it implies that we should look after our own things AND the things of others. I can see that. One of the most important things I try to teach my kid is that you've got to do what you've got to do. You have to take care of business. There's a time and a place for everything. And personal responsiblity is a something to be valued. Its a rare thing when someone will stand up for people rather than throwing people under the bus to cover their own behinds. And that, by the way--passing the buck--is NOT self care. That is NOT taking care of yourself or looking after your own things. That's cowardly. And it may "work" in the short term, but if you get to be known as someone who will sell someone else out then people will definetly stop trusting you. So instead of that... instead of knocking people down so you look bigger and better... what we ought to do is look after people. Protect them. Take care of them. When someone knows that you will put yourself on the line for them, they're way more willing to go the extra mile for you. And I'm not saying you should do it SO THAT they'll reciprocate. You never "love" in order to get, or else it isn't love at all. Its manipulation and control. But it is a nice effect. Its hard to have someone's back that doesn't have yours. But its easy to have someone's back when they do have yours. And this really blows people's minds--when you have someone's back even though they threw you under the bus. When you bless people that despitefully use you. When you not only turn the other cheek, but go that extra mile. Let me say it like this, "Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:21). And I can tell you from experience, if someone is awful to you, and you turn around and be nice to them... it might not matter. They might not stop being awful. But YOU will feel better about the whole situation. Self care. Taking care of yourself and not letting things drag you down. Rising above it. "I'm over it." Mind over matter, right? If you don't mind, it doesn't matter. So take the high road. Give everything you have and everything you are. Love is maximum effort. But once you've given it all you've got, let it be what its going to be. You can't make people do anything. No matter how hard you try. No matter how much love you give. And I'm not saying love fails--because love never fails--but its not always going to look the way you want it to look. So just be ok with that. Let go and let God. Take care of yourself by not letting anger, or bitterness, or jealousy, or hurt eat you up. Find that balance where you do what you can do and then shrug your shoulders. Have a clear conscience. If you really try... then saying, "I tried" is good enough. And another lesson I try to teach Logan--once he's tried his very best, if he can't do something, I'll step in and help. If he can't take care of it himself... that's what his daddy is for.