2016年3月13日
愛惜自己 Self-Care
读经: 出埃及記18章14-24節
Reading: Exodus 18:14-24
你們來，同我暗暗地到曠野地方去歇一歇。-馬可福音6章31節
Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest. Mark 6:31
全年读经: 申命記20-22章;馬可福音13章21-37節
Bible in a Year: Deuteronomy 20–22; Mark 13: 21-3
丈夫剛動了心臟手術，我在病床邊度過了焦慮的一夜。隔天上午，我想起髮廊的預約，心煩意亂地用手順了順散亂的頭髮說：「我要取消預約。」女兒說：「媽，去洗個臉然後到美髮院去吧！」我堅持說：「不行，我要留在這兒。」女兒又說：「我會留在這裡的。媽，妳要愛惜自己呀！妳把自己照顧好，對爸爸才是最好的。」
在舊約中，摩西獨自一人審理以色列百姓的糾紛，以致身心俱疲。因此摩西的岳父葉忒羅警告他：「你和這些百姓必都疲憊，因為這事太重，你獨自一人辦理不了」（出埃及記18章18節）。接著他建議摩西揀選有才能的人，共同分擔審理的重任。
對基督徒而言，愛惜自己好像不大合乎聖經教導，但實則不然，因為這對身心健康非常重要（馬太福音22章37-39節；以弗所書5章29-30節） 。的確，基督徒確實要先愛主我們的上帝，並要愛人如己，但也要有足夠的休息，才能使身心靈得到更新。有時，愛惜自己是暫時退到一旁，樂意讓他人一同分擔我們的重擔。
耶穌常悄悄地退到一旁休息和禱告（馬可福音6章30-32節） 。若我們效法祂的榜樣，就能建立美好的人際關係，也更能顧念別人。
親愛的主啊，請更新我心靈，讓我能同時兼顧
心靈的健康和各樣的責任。感謝祢的慈愛和看顧。
不必事事躬親，當保養顧惜身心靈。
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After my husband underwent heart surgery, I spent an anxious night by his hospital bed. Mid-morning, I remembered a scheduled haircut. "I'll have to cancel," I said, raking my fingers distractedly through my straggly hair.
"Mom, just wash your face and go to your appointment," my daughter said.
Sometimes self-care means allowing others to help carry our burdens.
"No, no," I insisted. "It doesn't matter. I need to be here."
"I'll stay," Rosie said. "Self-care, Mom. . . . Self-care. You're of more use to Dad if you take care of yourself."
Moses was wearing himself out serving alone as judge over the Israelites. Jethro cautioned his son-in-law Moses: "You will only wear [yourself] out. The work is too heavy . . . you cannot handle it alone" (Ex. 18:18). He then explained ways that Moses could delegate his work and share his heavy load with others.
Though it may seem paradoxical for the Christian, self-care is essential for a healthy life (Matt. 22:37-39; Eph. 5:29-30). Yes, we must love God first and love others as well, but we also need to get adequate rest to renew our body and spirit. Sometimes self-care means stepping away and graciously allowing others to help us with our burdens.
Jesus often slipped away to rest and pray (Mark 6:30-32). When we follow His example, we will be more effective in our relationships and better able to give care to others.
Dear Lord, refresh my spirit today. Help me to bring balance to my life as I juggle my responsibilities. Thank You for Your love and care.
Don't try to do everything—take time to refresh your body and spirit.