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Monthly Myrrh

March 2024

Monthly MyrrhMarch 2024

A Season of Preparation

In many parts of our world, it is what I want to call pre-spring. It is a perfect time to treat the soil in preparation for a garden, put out pre-emergent on our lawns, and begin to gently thaw the land and our bodies from the winter rest.


The Latin root of "emergent" means to rise. As the earth prepares to emerge, let's be intentional in preparing ourselves to rise and shine in the season ahead.


Has this past season been challenging for you? Whether you have fallen down or felt beaten down God wants to help you rise.


“The Lord upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.” Psalms 145:14 NIV

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Check Your Gratitude Meter

Feeling frustrated, annoyed, angry, disappointed, or dejected? Gratitude is your antidote.


“Gratitude always leaves us looking at God and away from dread. It does to anxiety what the morning sun does to valley mist. It burns it up.” Max Lucado


“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity, a meal into a feast, and a house into a home. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” Melody Beattie


“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV

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SUSTAINABLE Self-Care

Self-care is not a “thing” that we do when we feel depleted and need to replenish. Much like “yo-yo” dieting you will always end up right back where you started. We must create a self-caring culture in our lives where we prioritize the things that bring us joy, peace, and meaningful satisfaction.


The best of these things is often the simplest like brushing your child’s hair, watching your favorite sitcom, or stopping everything for 7 minutes to watch the local weather with your morning coffee (guilty 😊).


Get the picture? “You should never lose contact with things you enjoy.” Elliot Connie Don’t starve yourself of life’s treasures until you are empty. Rather, eat of life’s small joys throughout your day savoring each bite. Life is a gift. Savor it.


"You make known to me the path of life; in your presence, there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." Psalm 16:11 ESV

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Check Your Self-Care Meter

Spring break is nigh for many and a great time to breathe a little deeper and take stock of our well-being. Unmanaged stress is a killer with 120,000 stress-related deaths reported each year.


Here are resources you need!


We are called to steward our minds, bodies, and souls. The health of these impacts our ability to complete the work that God has called us to each day.


"May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Thessalonians 5:23 NRSV


"Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful." 1 Corinthians 4:2 ESV

Downtime Determinations

This month most will enjoy a "Spring Break". How you approach it can determine if it will be a break or break you.


It can be tempting to pack this time with multiple activities including catching up on life’s chores, so much so that it is over before you know it. The result can leave one feeling exhausted and let down rather than refreshed. Here is how you can determine to be mindful of each precious day.


Make a Spring Break bucket list NOW that includes:

  • Resting
  • Checking in with yourself – processing, meditating, praying
  • Things to enjoy
  • Things to explore
  • Things to accomplish
  • People to bless – planning quality time with those most important to you


Take these NEXT STEPS to keep yourself accountable:

  1. Reduce it! Review my list, then make your own. Choose wisely, with precious downtime less is more.
  2. Schedule it! Plan when you will do what and write it down.
  3. Kick guilt to the curb for one week! YOU deserve it and your body, mind, and soul need it.


In many cultures’ downtime is a rare luxury; treasure it, prioritize it, and don’t let it just go by.

Embrace it and reap the refreshing rewards.

Kathy Howard
Kathy is using Smore to create beautiful newsletters