Joy Feeds Our Souls : You Have My Permission

I don’t have time. That thought runs through my head on a daily basis about many things. Fun outings. Kid meltdowns. Personal interests. Whenever I think of the things that I want to do and don’t get to do, the things that bring me joy, that’s my internal response. The voice that whines in my head.

What thing would you like to do that you don’t have time to do? For you? Maybe you like to sew or read or paint or craft. Think especially of those things you want to do that do not have a tangible benefit for your family but are a way for you to create something and/or nourish your mind.

I have a friend who makes fun t-shirts for her family to wear. I have another friend who has a direct sales business that she loves, and the income helps her family get through each month. That's fantastic. In this day of online biz and side hussles, mamas can turn almost anything in a money-making endeavor or turn their creative passions into tangible items that benefit their families. But, while that’s admirable, it's okay if in this season some mamas can’t handle the stress or logistics of all that (trust me, I have been there many times). When our passions can’t directly benefit our children and husband in some way, we feel guilty spending time on them, even though most of us still do desire to do things that bring us joy and feed our souls.

So, that thing? The one that you look forward to and love doing (that brings you joy) but takes time away from your homemaking, mothering, homeschooling, paid position, wife duties, etc? Do it anyway. Seriously. You have my permission. You don’t need it, but you have it.

As women, often we want to make lovely things, especially in this fallen, broken world. I remember growing up, noticing that my mother would sew and write and garden for fun. She enjoyed it. Sometimes it benefited our family directly, but sometimes it was just something she wanted to do. And it’s so difficult for me to follow her example.

But God made women as part of His creative genius. Beauty is of God, and I’m not talking the perfect Pinterest-beauty. I’m talking the art made with your heart. In my experience, when I do set aside that time, 15 minutes here and there or an hour or two once a week, my soul soars. I gain peace and confidence that does directly benefit my family. Mamas, you know this is true.

Joy and beauty feed our souls! When life seems overly burdensome and everywhere we turn is negativity, these things prevent and beat back burnout. Taking time for the things we love, even tiny bits of time, can renew our energies and restore our spirits to better serve our families. I've seen and experienced this time and time again.

So, again, I give you permission, and I beg of you. Please, this week, take some time to do that thing. I challenge you to go do something that brings you joy - and brings God glory - and come back and share what you did! Our world is a messy place, but if we find beauty and create beauty, our souls will glorify God and His light will brighten our often dark and dismal world.