It has taken me 44 years to learn that being an introvert is not a sin, something to be overcome. Life sometimes makes this hard, and I have to do things that push this need to the back burner temporarily.

But it is ok for me to prioritize this when I can. It really is. It makes me a better wife and mother when I can get time alone, and not just time alone, but time when I am not ‘on call.’ Time when I can ignore texts. How many notifications really, honestly, can’t wait 2 hours? And I am teaching my daughters how to do this when I do it myself. If I don’t want them to feel that they have to allow others access to them 24-7, I have to model it.

I would love to take a whole week someday of introvert time, but for now I can plan ahead and enjoy half days when God allows without guilt.

I don’t know who needs to hear what I have finally learned, but caring for yourself and your relationship with God in ways that ultimately benefit those who depend on you are good things!

Something that I did last year was invest in a park pass. We have a Lake Michigan beach about 10 minutes from our house. It includes an indoor toilet, a small indoor space with tables and chairs, an outdoor space with a pavilion, a walk out to a light house, and a small beach.

Every where you sit or stand is an ever-changing view of God’s creation, of a lake so big it looks like the ocean. And when school is in session it is practically empty. And investing in an annual pass meant that my cheapness guaranteed I would get my money’s worth, and I did.

My youngest daughter loves any water, and knew I would fill the minivan with her friends as long as they did their own thing at the beach and didn’t need micromanaged. We both loved these days and planned them in advance to look forward to, for completely different needs that gave us each joy.

How can you or do you already care for and invest in how God has created you? How can you work with your personality that God created instead of fighting it?

Psalms 139:1-5 NIV
[1] You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. [2] You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. [3] You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. [4] Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. [5] You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.