Me, myself and I and a girl’s night out!

Last Saturday evening, I pulled out of the driveway, not sure of where I was going, what I was going to do or how long I’d be.

It didn’t matter.

I was alone.

And I was happy.

*a little backstory*  I have the privilege of being a part of a writer’s group that gets together once a month for about 3 hours. I love that group. I look forward to that meeting. Sometimes, I even count down the hours until it’s time to go. But I was feeling physically ill last Friday night…the night of our meeting. I opted to stay home rather than share any possible bugs with my writing buddies. And thus, missed out on my “night out”. *sigh*

If you know me at all, then you know very important “family time” is to me. I love my hubby and three beautiful girls . I enjoy homeschooling them and seeing them grow in wisdom and stature. I love going and doing adventurous things with Sean and the girls…and I love just hanging out at the house with them, too. So why would I need a night out?

Because I do.

I need time to rejuvenate. I need time to be renewed. I need time to relax. I need time to have my batteries recharged so I can be who I need to be for my family.

I know there are folks out there who don’t ever need that time.  They amaze me!  Strangely enough, I have allowed myself to feel guilty when I’ve finally had some “me” time. I worried I was being selfish. I wondered if everything was okay at home. And I have, in the past, ruined my “night out” by rushing myself to get home.

But this time. NO…not this time!

I walked leisurely down the aisles.

I tried on clothes without having to worry that little hands would open the dressing room door while I was still in my bra.

And even though there was no one there to constantly pick up things and explain to me why I HAVE to buy something that they clearly don’t  need me to buy — I had the wherewithall to  find some really cool stuff for my kids. (that was an awfully long sentence. but it can’t be helped.)

btw – I did all this at Goodwill. Yes, I said Goodwill. If you haven’t gone yet, you might want to try it. It’s a treasure trove, I tell you!

I was only gone for a couple of hours. But it felt like 24 — in a good way.  🙂 

I came home better than I left.

Rejuvenated. Revived. Renewed.

Yet strangely- I am keenly aware that this was only a drop in the bucket compared to the rejuvenation that takes place when I spend time alone with the Lord. I am reminded of the verse from Song of Solomon 2:10, “My lover spoke and said to me, “Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, and come with me.” 

Wow. I had such a great time  – but I can’t fool myself for long. That is only going to last a little bit. I need the constant “away” time with the Lord in order to stay filled up with that freedom and joy of life. I have to have that time in order to be who I am called to be!

So, I’ll be planning more nights out. I’ll be counting down the days. BUT…more than that – I’ll be planning time alone with HIM. Time that is unhurried. Time that is spent just sitting and enjoying who HE is. Time that is spent renewing, rejuvenating and reviving myself…in HIM.