Make My Day : Pamper Your Soul
Today I am speaking at a Pamper Yourself Ladies’ Day so I thought I’d share that presentation with you here.
Make My Day: Pamper Your Soul
“Make my day!” When Clint Eastwood delivered that famous line as Sudden Impact, he was saying that doing away with a really bad guy would be the crowning glory of a really bad day. We probably would have a different idea for what will make a day just perfect. Our perfect day might include a style show, laughter, lunch with friends, a massage, a manicure —- many of the things that have been planned into this refreshing, rejuvenating, pampering day.
The only problem is that this day will end and some of those pampering things will not be available to us tomorrow. But, there are a few things that are available to pamper you every day and I want to point your attention to them. These are indulgent gifts which pamper the deepest part of you; these gifts will pamper your soul. They will truly make your day.
Imagine with me the companionship of a friend who has your best interest at heart, is delighted when good things come your way and pours out comfort when hard things come and this friend gets you – knows you and accepts you. The presence of such a one with make your day no matter what you encounter. There is such a person; He is real. His name is Jesus.
#1 way to Pamper your Soul: Practice God’s Presence
His presence is the first Pamper Your Soul gift you can take home with you and keep forever.
What a friend He is! He has our best interest at heart to the point that He took the punishment for our sin and secured a home for us when this life is over.
He delights to bring us good things – every good and every perfect gift comes from Him according to James 1:17. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
When things are tough, He pours out comfort. His nick names confirm that: Good Shepherd, Fortress, Deliverer, Friend of Sinners, Wonderful Counselor, … What is your favorite ???
And He gets us – He never gets tired of us, never says “Enough!”, never shuts down, never gives up on us. His love gives us a place of belonging, even on our “no makeup days.”
And He is always PRESENT.
O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways. Psalm 139:1-3
(See all of Psalm 139 at the end of this blog.)
“Where can I go from Your presence? Sing along HERE.
Here is a take home gift for you:
Pamper your soul by being aware of His presence. Practice His presence; His presence changes everything.
The second Pamper Your Soul gift is tied very closely to the first.
Imagine with me again. This time imagine good conversation.
At a deep level. Not just the frivolous. Beyond the factual. Conversation including the sweet fellowship of shared history, and feelings – both positive and negative, all the way into freely sharing the most personal corners of our being. Imagine how it would be to be open and authentic and have the confidence that we will be accepted and loved and even pursued – that is precious indeed.
Such deep connecting conversations are not common place. They are rare and need to be carefully and intentionally cultivated.
So it is truly amazing then that the God of the universe calls us to such conversation. That our God is saying, “Keep talking! Tell me more! Why do you say that? I can’t wait to hear more – keep going!” That is what He means when He says, “Pray without ceasing.” When He tells us, “Continuing steadfast in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.” Colossians 4:2
#2 way to Pamper your Soul: Pray Deeply
Our God wants to hear from us about what is found below the surface frivolities and facts. He knows the facts. And He knows the deep parts of our hearts, too. BUT — He wants us to know that He knows. We need to tell Him.
Prayer reorient us to reality. The reality of His presence, His power, His promises. The reality of our need, our desperation, our dependence.
Prayer reminds me that I am small and He is great. That He is God and I am not. Prayer gives me a perspective that is in line with reality. He is ruling and over ruling and His plans cannot be thwarted. Prayer reminds me that He’s got this. (A friend recently pointed me to “King of the World” which says it so well!)
Prayer brings me to peace. And that is exactly the pampering my soul needs.
Here is a take home gift for you:
Pamper your soul by “conversationing” and communing with Him. Often. And Openly.
The third Pamper Your Soul gift is big and overarching and some would say: invasive.
Our God touches our lives every day in uniquely personal ways. He enters our daily world (daily) to remind us that He is present and available and that He delights in us. His personal touch is continual and intentional.
But we can miss it!
Scripture tells us that “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” Lamentations 3:22-24
Because He knows us, He knows specifically what each of us crave, yearn for, and need. He orchestrates events and encounters and episodes especially for each of us. He crafts people, places, and things unique to our individual needs. His touch on our days is very personal.
We need to learn to watch for it.
#3 way to Pamper your Soul: Prize His Personal Touches
Sometimes His personal touch in our lives is big – like the ocean waves or the night sky. Have you seen the Orion Nebula? Google it! Amazing is an understatement.
Sometimes His personal touch is small – like a butterfly or a snowflake or a finger print. Have you pondered the complexity and creative power in the first living cells of a new human? Mind boggling is an understatement.
Big or small, these personal touches remind us that nothing is too small to be beneath his notice and nothing is too big to be beyond his control.
He weaves these personal reminders in front of us continually.
humming birds, hot coffee, pleasant cashiers
sunsets, simmering soup, stringed instruments
soft perfume, kind words, thoughtful cards
sleeping babies, laughing children, understanding friends
things we hear, things we smell, things we see
things we remember, things we anticipate, things we enjoy
things that are soft, things that are scarlet, things that are sturdy
the creativity of God touching our lives;
the power of God touching our lives,
the love of God touching our lives.
If we will train ourselves to see His personal touches our souls will be massaged, our hearts will be refreshed and our perspectives will be filled with hope.
Here is a take home gift for you:
Pamper your soul by prizing His personal touches. Anticipate them, value them, remember them – all of His interventions – and interruptions. Start a list on a table by your bed. What a way to begin or end your day! OR Take pictures of the reminders of His care.
So, tomorrow when the pampering gifts of this day are not available to you, I recommend that you indulge yourself with these pampering habits of life: practice His Presence, indulge yourself with Prayer (conversation) with Him, and turn your attention to His Personal Touch.
Invite God, “Make my day!” Pamper your soul.
Psalm 139
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.
1 O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
3 You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways.
4 Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.
5 You hem me in, behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is high; I cannot attain it.
7 Where shall I go from your Spirit?
Or where shall I flee from your presence?
8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
9 If I take the wings of the morning
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
10 even there your hand shall lead me,
and your right hand shall hold me.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,
and the light about me be night,”
12 even the darkness is not dark to you;
the night is bright as the day,
for darkness is as light with you.
13 For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 If I would count them, they are more than the sand.
I awake, and I am still with you.
19 Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God!
O men of blood, depart from me!
20 They speak against you with malicious intent;
your enemies take your name in vain.
21 Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord?
And do I not loathe those who rise up against you?
22 I hate them with complete hatred;
I count them my enemies.
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
24 And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!
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