“I’m just exhausted!” she said.

Between caring for her family, doing her best at work, volunteering in several organizations, she was simply exhausted.

“I know I should be getting more exercise and should eat better, but when you are tired and exhausted, it just seems easier to grab something on the way home. I don’t spend enough time with my kids and the house is a wreck!” We have all been there at one time or another.

Perhaps your story is different, yet we can all be our own worst critic.

A man once asked Jesus what the most important rules for living are. Jesus said there are two commandments from God that are key for life. Love God with all of you… heart, mind, spirit and strength.

Love your neighbor as yourself.

We tend to focus on the “loving God” and “loving neighbor” words, but we ignore the “loving ourselves” words from Jesus.

We tend to focus on the “loving God” and “loving neighbor” words, but we ignore the “loving ourselves” words from Jesus.

He did not mean that we should be self-centered or focused only on self, but he is saying that it is OK to take care of ourselves.

We cannot take care of others, we cannot be all that God asks of us, if we do not take care of ourselves. We cannot provide living water for others if our own well is dry.

What do you need to keep your well full?

Shorten that “to do” list. Resist perfection. Take a nap. Curl up with a good book. Be a God-pleaser instead of a people pleaser. Say “No” when you need to, so that you can say “Yes” when you should. Times of rest and quiet are not times of doing nothing.

Love God and love your neighbor as yourself. That’s what Jesus said.