Pampering
by Shellie R. Warren

"Now when the turn of each maiden came to go in to King Ahasuerus, after the regulations for the women had been carried out for twelve months--since this was the regular period for their beauty treatments, six months with oil of myrrh and six months with sweet spices and perfumes and the things for the purifying of the women..." ---Esther 2:12

"Oil and perfume rejoice the heart; so does the sweetness of a friend's counsel that comes from the heart." ---Proverbs 27:9

I know this "Good Morning" may be a little---well, different, but I still feel it needs be said. Of all the people I know, I can count on one hand the ones who take time to actually nurture themselves and due to the fact that we are all children of the King, I think that is pretty pathetic.

As I was looking for Scriptures to support this point, these were the two Scriptures that instantly came to mind. Although I know and respect that there are various views and interpretations of Scripture, I personally believe that God inspired the teachings of the entire Bible---the Old and the New Testament.

Which brings me to a custom that I believe we should still uphold today. PAMPERING. I think sometimes we focus so much on humility that we think that means we must sacrifice self-confidence and taking care of ourselves internally as well as externally. This can't be so, can it? How could it be?

When we make references to I Corinthians (6:19), that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, so often we use this to support why we shouldn't drink, why we shouldn't smoke---why we shouldn't partake in any activities that would damage our physical health, but often we do not use this in reference of taking care our emotional and mental well-being. As I am slowly but surely beginning to take care of myself---to pamper myself, I am realizing that the two indeed go hand in hand.

Sure the definition of pampering---to treat with excessive indulgence; to gratify---can initially make one feel a little uncomfortable. How can we focus so much on giving to others and yet, be willing to give to ourselves as well? How can pampering ourselves do anything for our spirituality? Well, a quote that I found today, I think will help articulate my point:

When the grass looks greener on the other side of the fence, it may be that they take better care of it there. ~Cecil Selig

"When the grass looks greener on the other side of the fence, it may be that they take better care of it there." ~Cecil Selig

Whoa! It definitely gives a different perspective on things, doesn't it? I'll give you an example:

Yesterday, I was watching a program on television and a picture of Janet Jackson came up. I instantly felt envious. And perhaps not for reasons you think. Sure, she is beautiful but I can finally say after years of not saying it, that so am I. No, I was envious of something she had, that (and this is key to the root of a lot of envy) I too could have if I took better care of myself. I was wanting her abs. They are unbelievable!

Now, there used to be a time when I had those abs---or at least something very similar, with seemingly very little effort. But then the writing career set in...and being over 25 set in, slower metabolism settled in as well. So, now in order to obtain those abs, I have to do what I should have been doing all along. I have to make time for myself, I have to exercise.

Continue >>