Me time:
Remember a few years back when the "me time" phrase was constantly being thrown about? How I cringed at that phrase. We live in such a "me" centered society. I was constantly asked if I was getting any "self" time. Of course, with 5-7 kiddos at that time, I was not getting any time to myself. I became really thankful for just a few hours of sleep! So, that became my response. I would say, "I get ' me' time from around 1am-3am. " Truly, a simple trip to the bathroom became a treat to "me"! I actually found my sinful self telling the kids, " I will now use the bathroom! You cannot deny me this!" The good Lord keeps showing me how very far I have yet to go.
However, I can truly say that I was not interested in getting my nails done or even a professional hair cut. My husband could easily trim my hair as I kept it at one uniform length. Everything HAD to be streamlined. I learned to be very careful with my time. It wasn't time for hobbies. The sewing machine never got unpacked, and making cards with rubber stamps came to a halt. I knew my mission. Besides trying to be there for my husband, I was starting a more serious homeschool setting, nursing and /or pregnant. My favorite response to my inability to experience " me " time was something like this, "You know, I have been trying to die to SELF for years!"

Philippians 1:21. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Of course, I am not condemning trips to the beauty parlor. I am merely saying that there are times to go without a certain luxury, that many other people never have, and it is not the end of the world. Any mother who has really thrown herself into the task of motherhood will agree with me. For a single gal or a mother who is past those really hectic years, I am suggesting that it is good to sometimes scale back a bit on " extras" that have crept into your life. I don't know what those things are, but you do. Purposely cut something out, maybe a few things, and use the time and/or money in a selfless manner. You may find something new to do that God was laying on your heart previously, but you couldn't quite pin down what it was. To those of you that are in the thick of it: hang in there. The bathroom is really a luxury after all, isn't it? I mean -compared to a hundred years ago. And if you have to bring in a couple of toddlers, I assure you, you will regain your privacy- someday. And I won't tell. Blessing to you all.