Treasure Yourself

Treasure Yourself Thursday

“On the day of your birth, the Creator filled countless storehouses, set aside for your use and yours alone.” Maya Angelou

“What you say can mean life or death. Those who speak with care will be rewarded.” Proverbs 18:21

“Speak over yourself, encourage yourself in the Lord.” “Encourage Yourself” Donald Lawrence

It’s a blessing to receive encouragement from someone else,

But it should never replace encouraging yourself

It’s a blessing to encourage and lift up someone else.

But it should never replace encouraging and lifting up yourself.

It’s a blessing to celebrate the God given gifts you see in your friends

But it should never replace celebrating your own God given gifts within

It’s a blessing to acknowledge the gifts of others that shine bright

But it doesn’t mean that you diminish or dim your own light

This is a reminder that I am sharing with myself

My prayer is that is a reminder to someone else.

There’s nothing wrong with feeling yourself,

You weren’t created to have your gifts collect dust on a shelf.

You should always be the first to encourage yourself.

Your gifts and talents were never designed to be confined

They were given to us and created to shine.

Encouraging and Cheering for myself, Sheila P Spencer

Here is an audio version of me reading the blog in my own voice.

P.S. Bless yourself and listen to Donald Lawrence’s anthem “Encourage Yourself”

Dear Simone

Dear Simone:

It’s taken me a minute to write you, but you’ve always been the G.OA.T. .. and long before the Tokyo Olympics. It’s not just because of the 4 Olympic Gold medals and 19 world championship medals. It’s not just because you have moves that defy gravity and are even named after you. It’s not just because of the sacrifices and work that you have poured into your craft. It’s so much more … you have inspired, fought for and been a leader to your teammates. You’ve dealt with blatant racism. With all of that, you’re the GOAT because of the gold medal decision you made … you chose to take care of your self, recognizing your mental health is of immeasurable wealth.

My heart ached and was angered at the comments you received. People told you that you needed to tough it out, you were selfish and didn’t care about your teammates or country. You should just go ahead and play through the pain and push through the trauma. But it made me think of how many times we pushed through and toughed it out, when maybe there were moments where we should have just sat down and took time to rest. You reminded us that we need to treasure ourselves. It is not selfish to pour into ourselves before pouring into others. We can’t pour from empty vessels. Jesus recognized and took the time to rest.

“Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat.” Mark 6:31

If even Jesus knew the importance of taking to time to step back and rest, why are you (we) criticized for doing the same. Make it make sense ….. I”ll wait.

Simone, you are still the GOAT because you chose to listen to your spirit and your body and mind. So many of us are walking around wearing exhaustion as if it is a medal or badge of honor. It does not serve us and it is too heavy to wear. Simone , you are the GOAT because you chose not to wear it. It took me a while to write this letter because your action made me reflect on my own life ….. especially as a Black woman.

Simone you reminded us that self care is essential. You reminded us that self care and rest is sacred and necessary. You reminded us that other people’s opinions of us does not have to be our reality. You reminded us about keeping boundaries that are protection for ourselves as well as others. You reminded us that thinking of ourselves is not selfish, it is essential. You reminded us that it is not selfish to pour into ourselves before pouring into others. We shouldn’t be pouring from empty vessels. You reminded us to take off the perfectionist medal, that doesn’t make space for imperfections and natural flaws. You reminded us that we do not have to have it together 24 hours a day and that was never the case. You reminded us to release ourselves from unrealistic expectations (Whether our own expectations or others) You reminded us that No is a complete sentence and doesn’t need an explanation, whether others understand or not.

You reminded me to treasure the things and people that bring me joy. You reminded me of the gold standard of taking time to have lunch with a friend and having my spirit, body and soul fed. You reminded me of the importance and appreciation of my therapist and Spiritual Director. Yes you can love Jesus and go to therapy. You reminded us of the importance of listening to our inner voice. You reminded us ….. that sometimes taking care of ourselves means stepping aside so that we can step into our best selves.

Simone, you shared that the love and support you received made you realize that you were more than your accomplishments and gymnastics and that you didn’t believe that before. Simone, you are not the only one. We saw a piece of ourselves in you. We need to be reminded that our worth is not tied to our level of exhaustion, overworking and sacrifice. We are worthy simply because we are. You reminded me the importance of just taking time to be.

Simone, I realized that it took me time to write this letter because I am also writing this letter to so many others, including myself. You are loved and your actions reminded us about the important of having a supportive and loving community …. and to ignore the comments. You are still the G.O.A.T. and choosing to care for your physical, mental and spiritual health is a gold medal decision.

Peace, Sheila

The Healing

“There was a man who was paralyzed, and some other men were carrying him on a mat. They tried to bring him and put him down before Jesus. But there were so many people that they could not find a way to Jesus. So, they went up on the roof and lowered the crippled man down through a hole in the ceiling. They lowered the mat into the room so that the crippled man was lying before Jesus. Jesus saw how much faith they had and said to the sick man, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” Luke 5:18-20

Jesus saw and rewarded the tenacity of these friends. The man was paralyzed and could not move on his own. They tore down the roof and carried him into the presence of Jesus. These friends were going to do whatever they had to do for their friend. There are two important healings that take place. They tore through a roof and all those layers. It did not matter if was a messy process, they got it done. The man can walk out of the space, but for me the deeper blessing and miracle is in the healing balm and power of friendship. Jesus was touched by their faith, complete trust, and confidence in Him.

I am grateful for the healing presence and tenacity of friends. There are moments when I may be paralyzed and numb with frustration, exhaustion, or grief. In these times, I cannot move or pray on my own. They tear through all my layers. It does not matter if it is a messy process. I am grateful for my sisters who spiritually lift me up in prayer and carry me into the presence of Jesus. I am grateful for friends who put legs on their prayers with actions that move in the direction of what they prayed for me. It comes in the form of presence(virtual and physical), intentional listenting and providing a safe space for vulnerability and authenticity. It comes in the form of honest conversations.

Amid our remote world that prevents us from physically being with each other – it does not prevent my sisters and I from spiritually lifting and carrying one another. In fact, this season has made me more appreciativ.

Perhaps one of the miracles is even acknowledging that we need help and each other.

Perhaps one of the miracles is even acknowledging that we need help and each other. The miracle and release of being able to share when we are not okay. One of the most precious gifts that we can receive and send is the healing power of having and being a praying friend.

Today I invite you to spiritually lift your sister-friends in prayer and into the presence of Jesus. Take a moment this week to send, text, write or call a Sister who has spiritually lifted you up in prayer and carried you into the presence of Jesus. Christ will be touched by your faith, complete trust, and confidence.

Grateful to carry and to be carried by my Sisters,

Rev. Sheila P Spencer