As I write this, I am in the final stages of preparation to begin teaching Youth Mental Health First Aid classes once again-classes that have been on relative hold due to COVID 19. Over the next two and a half week, I will be blessed to be with over 175 teachers and ministry leaders at three schools in two states, teaching, supporting and encouraging them in not only Mental Health first Aid, but also in how to care for themselves.
All of the parts of us-physical, mental, spiritual, emotional, social, vocational, financial-these are all parts of our health and wholeness. While these days, the physical part seems to be so much in terms of preventing contracting and spreading COVID 19, all of the parts of us are effected by that very thing. Being healthy is so much more than merely the absence of disease. It is being able to cope and to persevere on a daily basis with all that come to us and at us in life.
For some of us who have many people we are caring for and many responsibilities, this whole idea of self care may seem laughable at the least and impossible to obtain at most. But how can we really take the best of care of others and do the best we can in all ways if we first aren't taking care of ourselves? Where do we start? What does this look like? It starts with a choice, one we all have to make. A choice to be intentional about how we care for God's chosen and beloved child-that is who we are! Over the next weeks, we will look at this in more practical terms. I pray that you are able to make this choice and take the best of care of the precious life that God has given you!
Comments