Thriving Through And After Infertility And LossSample

Honor Him Through Self-Care Four years ago, after failed infertility, my life fell apart and together all at once. There is not much like a failed infertility journey, three lost babies and the darkness of grief, anger and general life-isn't-fair-and-I'm-the-victim to get you deep in the darkness. Our self-care must be daily choices honoring Him; choices to overcome through choosing how to respond to life and redefining ourselves. Once one of my clients asked me, “I know you are so busy. How do you still do all the self-care?” I responded, “I make the time. No one has time for anything extra in their lives. We must choose to make the time for what we want and need in our lives.” She responded with exasperation in her voice, “But how?” Four years into my practice it is easy to instruct someone on this work, “I think good and doable self-care is 3-5 things every morning and 3-5 things every night before you go to sleep that you make the time for. Some days it’s easy, others it is a struggle.” My daily choices to choose the life I want through my self-care has not only saved me from the darkness that follows when life doesn't turn out how you hoped and dreamed, but it has opened me up to receive the life filled with dreams I never even imagined. So I challenge you to practice some self-care that will fill you up, get you through the infertility journey and honor Him! Here are some ideas: Color! Adult coloring books are not only a fad, the relaxing and creativity building effects of them are being more and more supported in the research. Intentional reading of devotionals to soak yourself in His word. Journal! Write about your day. I prefer 1-3 things that I am grateful for (they have to be different every day). Then I write 3-5 sentences about why I am grateful for one of those things. Also, when did you feel God’s presence? Walk! Specifically, walk outside in nature and practice presence. How many shades of green do you see? What do you smell? Do you feel the wind? See and feel His glory! Read! Especially at night before you go to sleep, read a real book! Hobby! Do, practice or create something that gets you excited and makes you curious. For me, it is gardening, raising monarch butterflies and volunteering. Gratitude! It is the single most important and life changing skill for getting out of this thriving and not only surviving. Pray! Talk to Him.