Month: September 2019

Why God created marriage

Marriage is meant to be a model of the relationship between Christ and His church. ( See Ephesians 5:31-33). Many of us look for a spouse to make us happy and to complete us, but I believe that marriage is meant to make us holy and to glorify God! Here are some verses from the Bible about marriage that point us to how this covenant created by God is supposed to be. If you are looking for Christian marriage quotes, look no further than to these key scriptures.

Marriage is the foundation of the family

Colossians 3:18-20 Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.  Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.  Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

The role of the husband

Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life so that nothing will hinder your prayers. 1 Peter 3:7 (NIV)

Ephesians 5:25-29 (NIV) Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing. Or having cleansed her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church.  

Ephesians 5:25-26 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing or “having cleansed” her by the washing with water through the word.

The role of the wife

Ephesians 5:33b (NIV) … and the wife must respect her husband.

Ephesians 5:22-24 Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord.  For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.  Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Ephesians 5:22-24

Unity

Ephesians 4:2-3: “With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

Ecclesiastes 4:9: “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?”

Love

Colossians 3:14: “And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

1 Peter 4:8 Above all, love each other deeply because love covers over a multitude of sins.

Faithfulness

1 Corinthians 7:1-10 (NIV) Now for the matters you wrote about: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.”  But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband.  The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband.  The wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband. In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields it to his wife.  Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.  I say this as a concession, not as a command.  I wish that all of you were as I am. But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.  Now to the unmarried or “widowers” and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do.  But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.  To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband.

1 Corinthians 7:1-10 (NIV) Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.

Commitment

Genesis 2:24: “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”

Mark 10:9: “Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

I may do another post on quotes from the Bible about marriage, but this is a good start if you are looking for direction for your current marriage or if you are looking for a spouse. If you are not already married, I think it is a good idea to know what the Lord expects from a husband and wife in a Godly relationship. God bless you. I pray these verses opened your eyes and changed your perception about what the Lord expects fro those of us in marriage!

“This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it!” Psalm 118:24 (NKJV)

Sometimes we think ahead and plan for a day we have planned weeks or months ahead. Planning and expecting for an event that we are excited about. This is not a bad thing, except when it prevents us from enjoying day to day life. Over-expectation for a future event can rob us of joy for today. It can create anxiety that breeds discontent.

Having dreams and goals and making plans is something we all should do. It is important to set the bar high, work hard and strive for the life you want for you and your family. But don’t let your want for the future make you worry! Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV) says, Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;  and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

In all of our planning and scheduling, goal making and striving for more, we must remember to trust the Lord that He’s got everything in control and that He’s got our best interest in mind! I am reading through the book of Psalms right now and I came across a verse that really struck a  chord with me and gave me more faith that God’s really got me! Praise the Lord; praise God our savior! For each day he carries us in his arms. – Psalm 68:19 (NLT) 

It is vital that if we are to possess the joy we desire, that we learn to live in the day to day moments that we have. The next hour, the next day, the next week is not promised to us! Yes, we trust that the Lord will sustain our lives but none of knows when our last breath will be. We’ve got to learn to get up in the morning and say to ourselves, “The Lord made this day. It’s a good day!” And really mean it!

For a long time, I did get up in the morning and recite that verse out loud. (Psalm 118:24) It didn’t always feel real to me. I knew that the Lord made the day He gave me good and I wanted to feel happy and be expectant for good things to happen. I wanted to experience the joy and peace He wants to give each of us. There is a secular saying, “Fake it ’til you make it.” I believe more in, “Faith it ’til you make it!” The difference is when you are putting your trust in the One who has everything in control, it’s not fake! Your faith is in His word and  His promises are true! So you keep putting your life in His hands every single day until you experience and possess the joy and abundance of life He wants to give you!

Today is important because it is a building block in a culmination of days that will get you to where you want to go in this journey called life. If today is all we have and we know we will possess what we desire because the Lord has given a promise and we are working alongside Him to obtain that promise, then why should we not enjoy every. single. moment?

What is holding you back from enjoying today? What is in the way of you making the most of today? Let go of the fear or anxiety that is preventing you from enjoying your life and the lot the Lord has given you. Don’t be afraid to work toward your goals and create the life you desire.

“Nothing is impossible with God.” – Luke 1:37 (NLT)

and

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. – Mark 11:24 (NIV)

As believers in Christ, where does our faith really lie? Are we really believing the Word of God? Every day is important and if we trust in the Lord, He will make our paths straight! Don’t be afraid to let go of the anxiety, discontent, and fear that is preventing you from enjoying this very day, this very moment that is a gift from the Lord. You only live this minute, hour and day one time!

Let’s make the most of it!

Change is not always easy, but it is a constant in life. It is inevitable that we go through changes. When we go through these inevitable changes, it is not as tough if we have Jesus as a foundation for our life. So, I wanted to come to you with some Bible verses to help you with embracing change in life.

“I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.” Malachi 3:6 (NIV)

and

‘Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. ‘ Hebrews 13:8 (NIV)

We, as humans change. Our families change, our friends change and circumstances of life change. But the Almighty God does not change! If we put our trust in Him, there is nothing we will go through that we will not come out victorious! We can trust God and He has our best interest in His plan for our lives!

‘For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord , “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ‘ Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

Knowing that the Lord has your best interest in mind and that His plan for you will come to pass if you follow Him is comforting. This truth can give you strength if you trust it. If you trust Him who gave you this unshakeable promise!

‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. ‘ John 14:27 (NIV)

Jesus is the Prince of Peace. He says to His followers that He will give us peace. The closer we are to Him, the more peace will be in our hearts! It is not like peace the world gives, but a peace based on the promise of an everlasting home with the Lord! In the beginning of this chapter, He said,

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God ; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” ‘ John 14:1-4,27 (NIV)

We don’t have to be afraid because this world is temporary and there is a forever home in eternity for each believer in Christ! We may hurt, we may cry, and at times we may want to give up! But,

‘The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? ‘ Psalms 118:6 (NIV)

At certain times in life we may have more than at other times but,

‘The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. ‘ Psalms 23:1 (NIV)

We have all we need in Christ! God is Provider and He gives us each what we need physically and financially, emotionally, mentally and spiritually!

‘ “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life ? “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? ‘ Matthew 6:25-30 (NIV)

God cares for the flowers He grows and waters. He cares for the birds who fly back and forth looking for food and water. How much more does He care for us? Those made in His very image? Yes, there are choices we need to make to have a good life but when we let the Lord lead us and show us the way, everything will turn out fine, no matter what!

‘Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. ‘ Psalms 119:105 (NIV)

and

‘He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. ‘ Psalms 23:3-4 (KJV)

If we can just remember that the Lord wants to teach us and make us better, we will have a different perspective about changes in life!

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26 (NIV)

“Because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” – James 1:3 (NIV)

As long as we live on this earth, we will go through things. As we live and grow and work and get older, life changes. Our friends, parents and (Lord forbid!) our children die, we get sick, we have financial struggles and relationship problems. Life is unpredictable, but one thing is for sure. We will go through tough things. At times, we may not know how we’re going to get through the day when it gets tough. But the Lord will enable each of us to endure every hardship that happens in our lives. If you’re struggling now and need to know how to keep faith when everything is falling apart, there are some practical things you can do to get strong and stay strong.

Make your Bible your best friend. Read the Word. Study the Word. Make it a part of who you are. Read it like you’re starving for Truth and life! In this Christian walk, we are fighting against the enemy of our souls. We are fighting for our very lives and if we are not equipped with the Truth of the Word of God, we will fail. The enemy throws darts of lies, doubt, and negativity at us all of the time. The way to combat him and gain victory is by knowing the Word of God. With the Word, it is imperative to know how to keep faith when it gets hard.

Don’t do it alone. Find a Bible study group to go to. Find a group of fellow believers who you confide in and pray with. If your parents or siblings are believers, even better! You already have someone close that you can talk to and find support. The body of Christ is meant to build each other. We pray for each other, we give to each other when we see someone in need. We give an encouraging word when it’d needed. If we don’t support each other, there is no unity and we become weak. We must help each other and teach others how to keep faith in God.

Set aside time to pray. When you’re going through hard times, praying may be the last thing you want to do, but it’s what you need to do most!  Discipline yourself to set aside time to pour out your heart to the Lord and listen for an answer.

Fast. Take one day per week and don’t eat. Take that day to spend time in the Word and prayer. This will bring you closer to the Lord and help you fight through the tough time you are going through. I think a lot of the Body of Christ has lost the discipline of fasting. But if we are seeking victory, this is one of the basic ways how to keep faith when everything is falling apart. It also will help in your walk with the Lord as a part of a regular schedule in your life.

Be consistent. Keep up your daily routine! Don’t slack. Keep praying and reading your Bible, but also keep up with your natural routine of going to work, taking care of your kids, showering and dressing the same. Whatever it is you do every day, keep it up! The enemy wants to see you defeated and down, but when you show up and keep living life, you are showing Him that you won’t give up the fight to him. You also may encourage someone else who knows that you are having a hard time. If you can do it, they can do it too!

Know that this rough time you’re going through won’t last forever. It’s only for a season. Like I previously stated, we all go through things in life. But it never lasts forever. If you find that it is lasting for months or years, evaluate the choices you’re making in life. It’s possible that you may be making some choices that are allowing you to go through things you may not have to. It may take trial and error. You may lose some battles, but if you read your Bible, those of us who are on Jesus’ side win in the end! So if you’re struggling with how to keep faith in God when it gets hard, these are some answers that should help if you apply them in your situation.

I recorded a corresponding video to this blog post on my YouTube channel:

Father, I pray that you empower every individual reading this to get through the trials they are going through now and may go through in the future. I pray that they not only get through their problems but that they come out victoriously in order to bring glory to your name. May they live lives of victory through the power of your Word and the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives. I pray that we as believers in your name come together in unity to help each other and to show the world that you are God! 

In Jesus’ name, Amen!

I haven’t told a Jesus testimony in awhile. Lately, I’ve felt prompted to. There’s so much I could say about how the Lord has been good. At first, I thought I should tell my testimony of salvation. Then it got stuck in my head that God has been my provider and I should talk about His provision.

Over the years, in so many ways the Lord has provided. I am sure he’s not done, but He has just begun! First, before I start to tell of His goodness, I must specify the Lord’s name, Jehovah Jireh. The Lord Will Provide, just as He provided a sacrifice for Abraham in Genesis 22 when the Lord asked him to sacrifice his son.

When some hear the Lord is a provider, they may think of financial provision. Yes, the Lord will provide for us financially. He said he would in His word and I am a testimony to that. Though, there are many ways the Lord provides every day!

When I first trusted the Lord to be my Savior, I wasn’t sure what to expect from Him. He knew that, and I did go to Him in prayer. I totally started over. I was living in a new city, was starting a new family, a new way of life. I was ready but unsure, and I had a little doubt. I asked the Lord to show me a sign that I had made the right decision. I won’t share here, what that sign was, but indeed He showed me a sign and at times, when my faith gets a little shaky, I remember what He showed me back then.

God is so good! He didn’t need to appease my request. But He saw my shaky faith and answered my prayer that day. The Lord has provided emotionally, relationally, spiritually, physically, financially. I started with nothing and I am not rich, financially. But spiritually, I see myself as a rich woman. There have been times I’ve had more than at other times. But in every season, the Lord has provided just what my family has needed.

Early on in my marriage, my husband got laid off. At that time he knew layoffs were happening at his job and he was nervous about it. At the time, his faith was stronger than mine, being that I was a new believer. He asked the Lord to let His will be done. If He wanted him there, to let him keep his job and if not, provide a way for him to be in ministry. My husband came home from work and told me his boss had laid him off. The next day we went to church and the youth pastor asked him to start in ministry with the kids. Soon after, I started teaching Sunday school. We survived off of my husband’s unemployment for a year and it wasn’t much. But every time we were lacking something and weren’t sure how it was going to come, the Lord made a way for us. Early on in my walk with Christ, I saw His supernatural hand of provision. In His Word, he says he will provide when we serve Him!

“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 (KJV)

and

Having Amazon Prime is so convenient. When I first heard of Prime, I thought that if I got it, I’d just be paying for two-day shipping. When I finally subscribed to the service and discovered the other great benefits, I was really glad that I did.

Here are the reasons why I love Amazon Prime:

• Free two-day shipping. I recently got back into shopping online. I don’t shop online a lot. Just when I need something. Sometimes, I’ll even order from Amazon because I don’t have to go anywhere. I know whatever I order will get to me in 2 days. That’s a convenient service! Being that I do not drive, it’s so easy to just keep track of when products I use regularly are running low so that I can order right before I run out.
• Ordering gifts. When I need to send a family member a gift quickly, I will order from Amazon. I can just have whatever I’m ordering sent straight to their address instead of mine. It’s especially great if I forgot to get them a gift ’til the last minute. I know it will get there quickly.

• Amazon music. There’s a music service that comes with Amazon Prime called Amazon Music. There’s a huge library of music on there. Pretty much any type of music you want to listen to. Even whole albums that I didn’t think I’d be able to listen to. I love that it’s ad-free too!
• Prime reading. I was using Prime for a while before I found this out, but you can read books for free on Kindle with Amazon Prime! I have the Amazon Kindle app, and I go on there to read when I don’t feel like opening a physical book. Or when it is just more convenient. I love physical books. I love to turn the pages. It’s a part of the experience of reading! But I have gotten used to reading e-books as well.

Some of my favorite things to buy on Amazon are:

• Books. When I see a book that I want to buy, I rarely go and buy it right away. I always go and add it to my Amazon shopping list. Once I am ready to get a new book, I go back and check my list to see what’s on there so I can buy it.
• Cleaning products. In my previous post, A Healthy And Clean Home: Chemical Free, I told about how I switched from cleaning with chemicals to more natural options. I use Mrs. Meyer’s and Method products. The only place I have purchased them from so far has been Amazon.
• Various gifts. I’ve gotten items for birthday parties, gifts for my husband, children’s toys, travel mugs, various baby items and much more from Amazon.

Sometimes, after I’ve had a subscription service for a while, I’ll cancel it because I realize I’m not using it very much. I don’t think that will happen with my Amazon Prime subscription. Since I got it, I’ve been using it several times a month and it has been worth every penny. I feel a little bad when I go back through my order history and see how many things I’ve ordered since signing up! I just have to keep in perspective what I can afford before I hit the Submit Order button!

Fall is my favorite season. I love the warmth of  Summer, but when it starts to get cooler, the days get shorter and the leaves start to change colors and fall, I get excited. I welcome the cooler weather because it’s a break from the hot days of Summer that are hard to bear without air conditioning. The atmosphere changes and there’s a sort of readiness that builds within me. A readiness for change.

I have not always liked change, but it has gotten easier since getting married and becoming a mama. Learning to roll with the punches and grow has been a necessary thing to learn. Things can’t always stay the same if you want better and more! Gratefulness for my family grows within my heart. I’ve known that I am blessed, but through the pregnancy and birth of Manasseh, I have learned to appreciate my growing family so much more. Not only am I grateful for my family, but for everything in my life that the Lord has blessed me with.

My growing love, gratefulness, and love for my family makes me want to do more and be better for them. I had a long dry season in my life. I didn’t believe there was anything better for me. I didn’t believe that I could do more than I was doing. Now, I have dreams and goals that the Lord has placed in my heart. I am determined to move forward and embrace the change that will come as I evolve into the woman the Lord has destined me to be for His kingdom, and for my family.

In the past, I did not like Spring because of the mud. I did not like Winter because of the snow and freezing cold. Now, I am learning to appreciate every season, spiritually as well as naturally. Yeah, I like Summer and love Fall, but I do not want my mood and attitude to change just because the weather does! That being said, there are some reasons that Fall is my favorite season. There are just some things that I appreciate about the season a lot more than the rest of the year.

• Orange, yellow and red leaves. They’re just so beautiful! Looking at the changing colors gives me a feeling that’s hard to describe. Sort of like a glowing feeling. That’s about the best I can describe it!

• Leggings and cozy sweaters. When I first started to see other women wearing leggings, I really didn’t like them. The way they look just didn’t appeal to me. Then when I was pregnant with my daughter, I tried them on because none of my jeans fit me and I didn’t want to buy maternity pants. I fell in love with them right away. To me, Fall is the best time to wear them. Also, cozy sweaters are love when it gets cold. There are so many sweaters, sweatshirts and hoodies to choose from, but there are always one or two I cling to each Fall.

• Back to school. My oldest started 1st grade today. He was excited, I was excited. My husband texted me from work to remind me to take pictures. I’m glad he did because I wouldn’t have thought to do it. But of course,  he knew that. That’s why he texted me. I’m grateful for back to school season this year because my son needs it. He needs to learn. Not only does he enjoy school, but I saw how he thrived in Kindergarten and I want this year to be another great year for him. When I got home from dropping him off, I also saw how it’s really going to be a blessing for me to have more one on one time with Heaven.

• Hot coffee and tea. Yes, hot drinks are enjoyable year-round, especially if you are a coffee drinker; But the Fall season just makes coffee and tea so much more enjoyable. Drinking a cup of coffee on the front porch on a chilly morning. Sipping a cup of tea on a cold night before bed. These are just some simple pleasures I can’t deny myself, though the tea is more healthy than the coffee. I don’t drink my coffee without sugar and creamer!

• Cozy beds at night. Not much needs to be said.

• Soup in the crockpot. Mmmm. Just the thought makes me warm inside. I don’t know what soup I will bust out in the crockpot first this year! One year, I made a chicken dumpling soup that everyone enjoyed so much, I ended up making three pots. Sadly, I don’t know where the recipe for that one is. Chicken noodle soup is also a favorite of mine. My husband loves it too.

For everything, there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1

“He has made everything beautiful in its time.” – Ecclesiastes 3:11a

  What is your favorite season? What are some things you enjoy about that season?

It’s a blessing to be off work right now. After having my son, I am taking time off work as a home health aide, working on my blog, building my business and taking care of the kids. Before I gave birth, I actually told my husband I wanted to go back to work as soon as possible. But reality set in. Of course, I can’t just leave my newborn and go back to work. I just don’t have anyone trusted to babysit for me.

So I am taking this time to work on my blog, build my brand and take care of the kids. I spend a lot of time on my computer. Sometimes I feel guilty because I would like to be spending more time with my 2 older kids, but that’s just something I just have to get over every day. As a blogging mom, I work at home and need to find ways to occupy the kids for 2 hour stretches of time while I get blog posts written, spend time on social media, answer and write emails, etc.

I take weekends off most of the time. Right now, I am away at my mom’s. It feels like an extended weekend, but it’s really not. I am working at her house, but just being away is a good breather for my husband and I. We come here often. For health reasons, she couldn’t make it up to our house to see the baby after he was born, and was getting anxious about it. So we packed up the kids to come see her. It just happens to be Labor Day weekend, as well. By the way, I saw my Grandmother for the first time in about ten years. She met my kids for the first time as well. That made my day, weekend, year!

Lately, I have been listening to a lot of entrepreneurs. Self help books and audios have been inspiring and motivating me to do new things, reach for higher and just building my belief in my dream to be self sufficient, financially. I do not want my husband or I to have to work for anyone else. Ever again. I don’t remember who it was, but I was listening to one guy say that when he first started working, he worked every single day for five years. Yes, he was single, though (Ha!) I’m sure there are married people with kids who work every single day, with no days off; But how often does that destroy marriages and families? But, I digress.

Allowing yourself a day off once in a while is good for your mental health. To breathe without your boss (or co-workers) watching you. Do some self care. To spend quality time with your family. To sit down. To watch movies. Whatever it is that is going to let you rest and recharge. Work will always be there.

It’s a good thing to work hard! But it is important to take care of yourself. Each of us have different schedules and responsibilities, but it needs to be a priority to have a day to rest and recharge every so often. Make it a part of your schedule. For some, it may be once a month. For some, once every 3 months, twice a year, or once a year. A lot of people thrive off work and it’s hard to function without work or a project to engage in. Even those people need to force themselves to rest. Our bodies need it. Our minds need it.

Yes, I have goals. For myself and my family. I want to leave a legacy for my children. Financial, yes. But I also want them to know deep within their hearts and beings that they are loved. That they are valuable. I realize that all this puts a lot on my plate. But I have to keep things in good perspective and take it in stride.

Jesus said:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11:28-30

With Him, I can do all things, but He promises us rest and we must allow ourselves grace, as he wants to freely give it to us.

What are some things you do when you take time off and recharge?