Yes! Yes! Yes!

I practice self-care.  I do those things that help me take care of me.  I say “yes” to myself quite often. 

Refresh myself with a glass of water?  Yes.  Renew myself with a book?  Yes.  Awaken myself with travel?  Yes.  Transport myself with a book about travel?  Yes.  Enlighten myself with a play?  Yes.  Energize myself with a walk?  Yes.  Broaden myself with a new experience?  Yes.  Empower myself with a podcast or playlist?  Yes.  Pamper myself with a massage?  Yes.  Strengthen myself with time spent with loved ones?  Yes.  Edify myself with the Bible?  Yes. 

What about you?  What do you do to practice self-care?  What makes you feel your best?    

Self-care as self-service.  Pretty easy, right? 

Search Google and you’ll find lots of articles defining what self-care is and outlining what it is not.   Almost every one of these will tell you, in some way or another, to just “say no.”  In fact, some enthusiasts believe that “saying no” is actually one of the most important tenets of self-care. 

Because we, as women, are much more comfortable seeing to the needs of others than we are to seeing to our own, we have to be especially careful to find the balance between the affirmative and the negative.  Nurturing natures have to also be mindful of overcommitting, people pleasing and being taken advantage of.  While that’s all true…that’s not really what I’m talking about.  

While I wholeheartedly agree that there are times when we must say “yes” to saying “no,” I also believe that there are times when we should seek out “yes” opportunities.

When you’re called to serve, for example, a surrendered “yes” is your life.  “Yes” is your responsibility.  So, I wondered, how can one practice self-care and be a “yes” woman at the same time?  As I thought about self-care from God’s perspective, a scripture came to mind: 

“Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Think about it.  Love your neighbor as yourself.  Really think about it.

 “Okay, God.  I get it.  Christ-centered self-care.  But how do I live it?”  It’s almost like He responded with a, “Funny you should ask.”  Enter II Corinthians 1:20.  As believers, we quote it pretty often.  For the most part, we say, “All the promises of God are yes and amen.”  And that’s where we stop. 

That’s where we stop.  But God doesn’t stop there. 

He says, “For all the promises of God in him are yea (yes), and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.” 

By us? 

Yes.  By us.

Yes.  It’s such a small word, yet it’s so expansive.  So indulgent.  So inviting.  So promising. 

I contend that often times, God’s promises, His yeses, come through us.  By us. 

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.  Yes, Lord.  When you’re converted, strengthen your brother.  Yes, Lord.  Bear the infirmities of the weak.  Yes, Lord.  Feed the hungry and clothe the naked.  Yes, Lord.  Preach the gospel to the poor and deliverance to the captives.  Yes, Lord.  Heal the brokenhearted.  Yes, Lord.

Self-care as sacrifice.  Not so easy, right? 

What if, by us, God is providing answers to prayers and honoring His commitments?  What if we’re actually our best, most authentically beautiful and genuinely fulfilled selves when we’re giving ourselves away?  If we were sensitive to the Promise Keeper, if we sought “yes” opportunities, what recipient would He lead us to?  What gift would He use us to give to them?  Could it be a monetary blessing?  Or a word of encouragement?  A charitable deed, perhaps? 

His vow…our vessel…

Your world needs your wisdom.  Yes.  Your insight.  Yes.  Your advocacy.  Yes.  Your prayer.  Yes.  Your love.  Yes.  By us.

I’m honored to say that I know some extraordinary “yes” women.  Sisters who, in my life, have been reflections of the Father’s affirmation and provision:

Marlene Pressley King, Cheryle Ward and Radienne Slaughter—the sisters with whom I share laughter and tears, the sisters who said yes to giving the gift of accountability. 

Jaleesa Bailey—the sister that God used to show me the vision, the sister who said yes to giving the gift of inspiration. 

Marion “Trudy” Henderson and Samara Braswell Williams—the sisters with a listening ear and a ready word, the sisters who said yes to giving the gift of edification.  

Tracey Pitts—the sister with a private yea and public amen, the sister who said yes to giving the gift of encouragement. 

Maxine McAfee and Risë Wood—the sisters who spoke to dreams that only God and I know about, the sisters who said yes to giving the gift of confirmation.    

To you all, I say, “Thank you for your ‘yes.’”

What would the world look like if, while we were believing God for the manifestation of His promises in our own lives, we all asked Him how we could take care of someone else in the meantime?  What if I loved my sister and took care of her, the way that I love and take care of myself?    

Just like self-care, saying “yes” is a way of life. I’d like to say that my “yes” is always poured out, but honestly, oftentimes, it’s pressed out.  “Yes” is always timely but it’s not always convenient.  Depending on who’s counting, there are between 3000-7000 promises in the Bible.  What if every day, we intentionally and generously said “yes” to sharing one of them.  Yes…to our coworker…to our hairdresser…to our babysitter…to our best friend…to our worst enemy…to our business partner…to our cousin…to our mechanic.  Yes.  By us. 

Will we get tired?  Absolutely.  Will we sometimes feel depleted?  Most definitely.  But sister, don’t get weary in well doing.  Accept the challenge.

Will you be your sister’s keeper?  Yes!  Yes!  Yes!

PRINCIPLE: “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” Proverbs 11:25