Out of the Fog

I don't really do new years resolutions, but I do like to use that time to draw a line in the sand and think about how I would like life to look for the year ahead. It doesn't mean grandiose changes or massive goals, but small things that I would like to start doing such as drink more water, take a trip to see my sister, or open our home to guests once a week. Each year these thoughts change depending on what season of life I am in, but one remains unfulfilled year in and year out - and that is to learn the guitar. For 10 years now I have desired to learn the guitar. I have even made announcements to my muso friends that THIS IS THE YEAR... but I have never, ever followed through. High five for me.

My biggest hurdle was that I was exhausted, living in a constant fog. I was tired, touched-out, and just yearning for sleep in whatever way I could get it. So the thought of using a spare hour to play the guitar when I could be resting (or cleaning, cooking, folding, weeding, vacuuming etc.) was just hilarious. I mean, who would ever give up the chance to have a nap!? In those early years so many of us desire rest, and rightly so because sleep-deprivation sucks. But I do think that perhaps we have also been missing out on taking one step forward beyond just resting in a comatose state - and that is finding activities that restore us. And that is when the magic happens.

A pattern of rest is the foundation of renewal (see previous post Shhhhh!). Without rest, we will teeter on the edge of burnout and struggle to meet the demands of life with Spirit-infused energy. However, when we do find ways to embrace a consistent pattern of rest, we then find the potential to be restored. Restoration replenishes us physically, fortifies our mental health, and gives us a sense of self beyond the busyness of motherhood. To restore is "to bring back to a state of health, soundness, or vigour; to put back to a former place, or to a former position." Synonyms include restart, refresh, repair and rejuvenate. How good does that sound! Being a mumma requires us to nurture others with our body, mind, and energy, which is why we need time to replenish and restore ourselves. The truth is that so much of us changes through our newly adopted identity of motherhood, and these are wonderful and beautiful changes (even if it contains some floppy bits and grey hairs), but cast your mind back to the things that brought you joy, or fill you with energy before the little ones came. Or perhaps there are new things that interest you and spark your creative interest now. It's okay to dream and think about what that one thing might be that feeds and fills you... just you.

One of my favourite passages in scripture about restoration is Isaiah 58:11-12 (MSG)

I’ll give you a full life in the emptiest of places— firm muscles, strong bones. You’ll be like a well-watered garden, a gurgling spring that never runs dry. You’ll use the old rubble of past lives to build anew, rebuild the foundations from out of your past. You’ll be known as those who can fix anything, restore old ruins, rebuild and renovate, make the community livable again.

What a vision.

We are in desperate need of restoration. The hustle and bustle of life keeps us in constant motion, consequently wearing down our bodies, minds, and spirits. At the same time, our bodies, minds, and spirits are being depleted, we are also hearing a clear message from society that we should discard something once it is worn out and used up, and replace it with something new.

See the problem? We can't jump online and buy a new body, mind, or spirit. We can't consume our way through burnout. Instead, we have to restore the gifts that God has given us, the gifts of our bodies, minds, and souls. God did not create us to participate in the world's wear-down cycle, the culture of constant consumption that leads to so much unrest. Instead, he made us to engage in regular rhythms of physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual restoration - rhythms that pull us out of the world's churning and fill us (and the world around us) with life.

So what does restoration look like for you? It isn’t supposed to be a temporary indulgence but a life-giving practice that helps you build a life you don’t have to regularly escape from. It’s a much bigger picture than the watered-down versions we’re used to hearing about such as bubble baths and getting your nails done (as lovely as those things are). Here are some ways you can start to build restoration into your life :

- Have fun. Laugh, giggle, play. Do something that makes you smile. Perhaps it is joining a dance class with some friends, go horse riding, or playing on the trampoline with your kids with pure abandon (just don't neglect your pelvic floor muscles!)

- Eat healthy and wholesome food - at least once a day. Nourish and restore that beautiful body of yours!

- Walk. Anywhere and everywhere. Seriously - it pumps the blood around your body and instantly gives you a feeling of refreshment and energy. It's easy to feel like this is too hard when you are sooooo tired but trust me, it's better than a coffee.

- Be brave. Seek adventure or do something out of your comfort zone. Perhaps that is taking singing lessons, getting a personal trainer, teaching yourself to cook french food or go hike up a huge mountain.

We are not too old to do these things for ourselves. In fact, by us choosing to find ways to restore ourselves we will see newness and energy abound. The important thing is to understand that you are worthy of restoration - of giving yourself the same attention and effort that you constantly pour into the people you love. Be restored so that you can flourish! So go pick up that guitar, or whatever your restoration activity is, and let the adventure begin...