Take Care of Yourself First

In June, after a busy year of publishing my book, recording the Men’s Edition, teaching classes and speaking to many groups, I knew that it was imperative for me to purposefully spend time restoring my soul. I needed to take a break from ministry and take care of myself. So, I sat down and made a list of what it meant to take care of myself for the summer. As I dive back into ministry, I thought I would give you a little glimpse of what it means to take care of myself, and encourage you to do the same.

Fishing One Day Every Week

Almost every week I packed a lunch, slipped on my swimsuit, grabbed my fishing pole and headed out to fish on my friend’s dock. Sometimes I caught fish for dinner, other times I tried to keep the Sunnies off my hook. Once in a while a friend met me there, but other times I just sat in the quietness and enjoyed a beautiful day. Sometime I even took a nap and just felt the warmth of the sun on my back. Fishing kept me from my phone, my emails, Facebook – even my lists. It was a slower pace, where I could enjoy God’s creation and the beauty of another day.

Digging in the Dirt

I love to dig in the dirt. I always have. As a child, I remember using a magnet in the sand to collect metal filings. When my dad needed a giant trench dug for the septic system, I quickly accepted the summer job. For me, digging is therapeutic and grounding. This summer I installed several different paver sidewalks at our rental house.The soil at our rental house is black and loamy. I call the soil black gold because it grows the biggest marigolds you’ve ever seen. Moving dirt gives me pleasure as I feel the sweat run down my back and I realize the potential of hard work.

Fresh Meat and Vegetables

Summer brings different meals to our table. Grilled meat laid across a colorful salad creates a beautiful meal. Nothing beats a meal that goes straight from our garden to our mouths. Daily picking of the raspberries, cucumbers, zucchini, tomatoes and peppers. But this year I kind of went for it and planted some new treasures. God thrilled me with juicy cantaloupe and sweet spaghetti squash that gently wound down my garden wall. I feel like a proud mama birthing the fruit of a summer of love.

Lots of Sex

It might sound odd for a Sex teacher to make “Lots of Sex” a goal for the summer. But we go through the same challenges as everyone else – insecurities, lapses in confidence, pushing too hard, too many expectations, and aging bodies. I just wanted to take off the pressure and enjoy things again. So, I vowed to not put expectations on my husband or me. I took responsibility for myself and planning what I desired. To combat my aging body, I started a routine of pelvic floor stretches and exercises.

We had fun this summer. I mean lots of fun. Lazy days, new positions, sexy music, hiding under the sheets, dressing up. I feel like I am back to loving sex and looking forward to it, and it feels good.