It’s 5 AM, and the alarm sounds off. I roll over, stopping the obnoxious interruption, inwardly hoping my morning pal will remain cozy under his blankets. He doesn’t. He shoots up, grabs his glasses, and appears ready for the day. How dare he. My inner guilt kicks in, and I decide to follow suit. My body receives a shock of the cool morning air, causing me to thoroughly question my decision to arise from my warm, comfortable state of bliss. After my minute-long pity party encouraging me to lay back down, I snap back to the reality of adulting and responsibility: it’s time to get up.
I chose to start my day at 5 AM because it works for me; even though most mornings begin with the strength of my husband placing his feet on the carpet first. I love mornings. I love the darkness outside, the quietness of the house, the freshness of my mind, and the readiness I feel to embrace the day. I can thank my dad for the way mornings bring joy to my soul. As a child, I was often awakened by a trumpet playing taps between 6-6:30 AM. He said he needed to practice, but I think he was bored and wanted company. I thought he was silly for waking us early, but now that I’m a parent, my opinion has completely changed . . . what he did was actually crazy. I personally tiptoe around like a ninja doing my best to keep everyone asleep.
. . . I am entirely ineffective when living life from a drained battery.
Over the years I’ve learned, by witnessing myself running ragged and wearing multiple hats, I am entirely ineffective when living life from a drained battery. My patience goes out the window, and my purpose gets lost amid the busy day. Honestly, you would think I didn’t know Jesus some days if I rolled out of bed without time to recharge. I need quiet mornings to read, pray, write, and exercise. I find this anchors my day, fuels my heart, and prepares me for what’s to come.
Spending time recharging anchors my day, fuels my heart, and prepares me for what's to come.
Yet, some days, I fall prey to the lie that I don’t have time to stop and recharge. Can you relate?
This thought seems like an odd concept considering we live in the day and age of electronics, and we are all fully aware of the importance of keeping batteries charged. Consider our cell phones, for example. We use them to call, text, check social media, email, take pictures, and much more. The more we use our phone, the more the battery depletes. A warning, “Low Battery: 20%,” will eventually pop across the screen and continue popping up every 5% increment until one of two actions take place: the phone is plugged into an adequate power source, or the device turns completely off from a lack of power. You and I are the same. The more we do, the more we give, the more we serve, the more hats we wear, the more our battery drains. The only difference is, we humans tend not to flash gentle warning signs when our battery is running low. No, we’re more like a pressure cooker about to explode.
We won’t go a day without charging our devices. What about ourselves? It’s incredibly challenging to be the person God intends us to be and needs us to be when our battery is drained.
Sure it’s not always convenient because our days are full, and our to-do list is never-ending, often leaving us justified in saying, “I’ll make time tomorrow.” But I think we can all admit and agree that we are better when we live life with a charged battery. Jesus didn’t withdraw to lonely places to pray when he was on empty. He withdrew “often” to keep himself charged and alert so He could love, serve, and represent His Father well.
It’s incredibly challenging to be the person God intends us to be and needs us to be when our battery is drained.
There is no right or wrong time or way to recharge your battery. Every one of us has been created differently. The thought of a 5 AM book-reading-recharge may make some of you squirm like a fish out of water; it’s not for everyone. Mid-mornings, afternoons, evenings, or night hours might be your perfect time to plug in and charge. And that’s great! What’s important is that you take time to recharge. Another important component of recharging is connecting to the ultimate power source because with Him you can “shine your light before man that they may see our good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16).
You are beautifully and wonderfully made with gifts and abilities this world needs. Stay charged!
A FEW QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER:
Do you keep your battery charged? Do you often run-on low battery power?
What charges your battery? What sets you up to embrace the day and all it has to offer? What fuels you to use your God-given gifts to love and serve others well? What keeps you fulfilling your purpose?
When is the best “recharge time” within your day? What distractions do you need to remove in-order to fulfill your commitment to yourself? What boundaries do you need to set to ensure you follow through on your “recharge plan?”
RECHARGING IDEAS AND INSPIRATION:
Stay connected to the power source Jesus (read the Bible, pray, meditate, solitude & silence at His feet)
Claim His promises (for example, read Isaiah 61:3)
Get 6+ hours of sleep per night
Do something fun and smile (Proverbs 17:22)
Move your body (walk, hike, ride a bike, exercise)
Enjoy your hobby(ies)
Keep a reasonable to-do list
Eat nutritious foods to fuel your mind and body
Control what you can control and learn to accept things as is
Schedule a few small breaks in your day to keep your mind and body energized
Fellowship time with others (Proverbs 27:17)
Worship (I Thessalonians 5:16-18)
You are beautifully and wonderfully made with gifts and abilities this world needs. Stay charged!
Be blessed and be a blessing,
-Genevieve Elrod
