Wednesday, March 23, 2011

How Do You Experience Emotional Rest?


This blog is in response to Bonnie Gray's topic on emotional rest. Well, Bonnie how do you like my Faith Barista mug??

I could approach “emotional rest” with a serious tone, but I’m pretty sure I’ve posted my share of heavy weighted topics for the week.

I could spill the dramatic contents of my heart all over this page.

I could wrap a crazy stay-at-home mom story around an important biblical truth.

I could go all theological on y’all right now.

But…

I’ve decided to peel back the layers of sass and get right to the nitty-gritty.

What gives me emotional rest?

My best de-frazzling solution for emotions bubbling out of control is a hot bath overflowing with lavender salts and sudsy soaps. But my emotional rest retreat wouldn’t be complete without my Ipad propped up against the tile wall playing re-runs of Francis Chan’s greatest sermon bites. I know that may sound a little stalker-ish but seriously, that’s what I do.

So, when I re-emerge back into life after my bubble-bath getaway, I don’t feel like strangling anyone. I say things like, “That’s nice hunny. Oh, you spilled chocolate milk on the carpet again? Well, I’ll just clean that right up. Oh look, another load of laundry? I'd better start folding.”

No attitude. No crooked smile. Just a rejuvenated soul ready take on what everybody else is dishing out.

So the moral of this story is ~ When mama is clean, comfy, and calm, everybody else gets their emotional rest too!

So it's your turn... what gives you emotional rest?

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24 comments:

  1. This was AWESOME! Thanks kelli! What gives me emotional rest... i make up whatever excuse I have to,,, to run to the store... I drive slow.. I turn on Klove or a CD lay back my chair (In park),,,and go away...I am no one BUT his baby girl.. I can rest in him and ask for the extra needed boost to finish the day.. I have even walked up and down isles until I'm ready to come home with a smile, atleast not a dager... Here's to running away with the man of my dreams!!

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  2. Kelli, I love hot bubble baths! So relaxing! I also love reading (Christian fictio) before bed to relax. But the best way to emotionally recharge and relax for me is to worship. Nothing better!

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  3. Kelli girl, I can relate:)
    "So, when I re-emerge back into life after my bubble-bath getaway, I don’t feel like strangling anyone."
    I love it!

    You made me smile this morning, thank you so much!

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  4. Fun post! A walk with my dog or a run with my iPod listening to music. That recharges me! Maybe I need to add a bubble bath to the end of all that :)

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  5. Now I know what to add to my to-do list today! :-) I love this. Thanks for sharing what works.

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  6. Great post, Kelli. Listening to music in a quiet place gives me emotional rest. I've tried to be a bath-girl, but it just doesn't work for me. You make it sound so peaceful, though. :)

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  7. That sounds like a wonderful respite! Although, to be honest, if I wanted to use our lovely soaking tub, I'd have to clean it first. We use the shower, while the tub just collects dust.

    LOL I guess I went the "spill the drama" route with my post. So glad you didn't respond to it with "Okay, I'm backing away slowly now ...." :)

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  8. Love this sweet friend, you're just so cute and real... one of the many things I adore about you. I've been doing emotional rest so wrong for so long and I'm trying to figure it out for myself... trying to let God lead me into a "place" of emotional rest that I want to run back to over and over when I need it. My emotions having me running to food... of course God's Word calms my soul, but my deceived flesh still wants to turn to food. I've been pondering this since Debbie talked about her garden and how it combined with reflecting on Him recharges and restores her and now I'm still trying to figure it out. Thanks for inspiring me... all of the time...

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  9. Getting out of the house with a girlfriend or curling up in bed with a good book and reading undisturbed.

    Blessings,
    Mel
    Please feel free to stop by: Trailing After God

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  10. Oh man! Now I want a bubble bath!!! My emotional rest definitely happens in my garden and on the back patio. I can feel all the "stuff" of the day just melt away when I'm out there.
    Such a cute post, and LOVE the picture!

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  11. I am so jealous. I want that mug. LOL. I will add it to my collection one of these days.

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  12. I'm jammin with Faith Barista today also! This is an awesome post! Even though I'm not a mom, I can completely appreciate a bubble bath!! Oh and candles with the bath! I also use walking as a stress release!

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  13. This post made me smile. It has been a very long time since I took a bubble bath... great idea!

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  14. Great post Kelli. Unfortunately, I'm far too tall for most bathtubs (I'm a little over 6'5") so that isn't an option for me.. LOL

    My emotional and spiritual respite is usually best found walking in one of the nearby forests with my camera. In the amazing majesty and silence of God's Creation I truly feel refreshed and rejuvenated. Thankfully, spring is here so hopefully the weather will cooperate and I can get out soon! :-)

    Have a Blessed Day!

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  15. All three of my kids are screaming right now so that bath is looking real good!

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  16. I love your sass!

    I love a good soak in a great tub with a nice book. However, I have a not so great tub, so a long, hot shower helps clear my mind and give me new perspective.

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  17. Ah, yes - a bath! A retreat for Mom! Such a great idea. The picture cracked me up, too.

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  18. There's a saying -- when Momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy. Amen. And that's a great photo, too.

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  19. Love the photo! As a side note, I also love bubble baths but only have a shower in my flat, so whenever I travel, I add a bathtub into my mental list of what to look for in accommodation and then bring the bubbles and lavender with me!

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  20. Sounds good to me:-) I can only fill my bathtub in the winter due to the fact that we have a well and it is dry here in the summer:( I love to get away and read a good book...in the quiet!

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  21. What fun to read this :D My ultimate emotional relaxant is having fun!

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  22. Hilarious photo! My rest comes best with a friend or a Christian fiction read before bed (like one of the other comments). It gets my mind away from the stresses long enough to relax me for bed.

    Blessings,
    Janis

    Came here from Faith Barista

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  23. I need to get me some of that!!! :) The Women's Retreat was great...of course that's only once a year.

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  24. Hi Kelli! I wanted to say that I love this picture. And yes, I love the Faith Barista mug with you in your down time! You look so cute with your slippers too. Blessings!

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