Sometimes U Have to Choose U!!

This morning as I woke up, way to energized for it to have been legal, I was greeted with these powerful words from Phillipians 4:8
Christian brothers, keep your minds thinking about whatever is true, whatever is respected, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever can be loved, and whatever is well thought of. If there is anything good and worth giving thanks for, think about these things. (NLV).

As I meditated on this and began my Friday, it occurred to me that we are often taught from a very young age that we are here to love God, love others, serve others and many times "WE" get lost in translation.  However, when God created in the beginning, including creating us...did He not say this is Good?  So when we are encouraged to think on what is right, pure, anything good and worth giving thanks for, should we not also include us (yes YOURSELF) in that list?  I think YES, YES and YES!!!  I believe there needs to be a delicate balance in how we live daily.  A balance between loving and nurturing yourself, so that you can in turn love, help, pray for, encourage and yes serve others.  No matter how much we want to, it is not healthy for us to attempt to give from an empty vessel.  Just look around you, there are way too many examples of neglect, abuse, depression etc. If you trace many of these sadnesses and devastating situations in families, I bet you would find hurting and devastated people who did not take time to heal and nurture their inner child and started families, friendships and marriages that drained an already empty vessel and at some point bad turned to worse.  They meant well and often never even slowed down long enough to see the worse coming.  That being said, today 10/12/12, I want to encourage you and me to remember...Sometimes U have to Choose U...it is ok and does not mean you are self centered, selfish or a stone cold trip (does anyone still say that?).  What it means is that you were created to be all that He had in mind for you, but to Be who you are destined to be, you need to Nurture you...take care of you and replenish you.  The awesome thing about choosing you, is that it will cause a glow in you that will shine and draw others in and cause them to desire to live a little lighter, laugh a little more, love a little deeper and Give Thanks for and to the God who created us all...and that type of Love and attitude of Gratitude is what will CHANGE THE WORLD!!!