Invest In Yourself

​I read a quote this morning that really stirred my soul. 

    “Investing in yourself is the best investment you will ever make. It will not only improve your life, it will improve the lives of all those around you.”
                                                                   - Robin Sharma

In the midst of this quarantine, with so much more time to spend with my own thoughts, the thing that’s been nagging me the most is my own tendency toward selfishness. Time spent doing face masks and skin care. Long bubble baths. Asking the kids to be quiet so I can practice yoga, meditate after. Reading book after book, simply for my own pleasure and joy. Lingering in my Bible. Doodling in my notebook. Going out solo for long, quiet runs. Bouncing from article to blog on the world wide web, researching every ponder I've ever thought. Solving Sudoku puzzles from a booklet. Playing games on my phone. Online shopping for things that only I want. Making the choice to once again go back to school. 

These are the things my soul desires: quiet, alone time, peace, pleasure, joy. These are the areas in which I feel most connected to my spirit, the Spirit, and to God. But mom guilt is real. Shouldn’t I want to spend every waking moment of my life playing with my kids, homeschooling my kids, preparing meals for my kids, cleaning up after my kids, loving my husband? Shouldn’t I be doing more for those in need, those who are hurting in this pandemic? I want to be a devoted wife and mom and a contributing member of society. But the fact of the matter is, I’m selfish. I like to invest in myself.

So when I read that quote this morning, a flood of relief washed over me. Yes! Finally. Justification that sometimes it is okay to just put myself first. 

But conviction still fell over me. I thought about Jesus. A man so selfless, He died to be the Savior of all. Did he ever just go “invest” in Himself?

Turns out, He kind of did!

Time and time again in the Gospel, it says that Jesus withdrew to be alone. Jesus, King of King and Lord of Lords, withdrew! He himself needed time alone, time with the Father God. (Luke 5:16)

Mark 1 puts it in an even more relatable way:

“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him,  and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!” (Mark 1:35-37)

If you have kids, how true is that? You can try to hide (i.e. go to the bathroom alone or have a snack without anyone asking for some), but your kids immediately come looking for you! Ha!

So if Jesus, God, chose to spend time alone in prayer and solitude, how much more do we, people covered in the shortcomings of our own humanity, and with, for many of us, spouses and kids and homes to take care of, need to do so?!

This message is for both of us: Don’t feel guilty for investing in yourself. When you take time to do the things that restore your soul, it makes you a better person, a better employee, son or daughter, friend, parent, spouse, and on and on! 

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” 

Matthew 11:28-30