What Self-care on the World Race looks like

Self care? Is there such a thing on the race?

I would like to be honest with you, friends. Self care on the race is pretty difficult. Within the first month all the good habits that had become a rhythmic routine with my everyday (which aren’t many) I felt as if they were thrown out a window.

Of course, I knew that keeping myself in order while having much unknown before me and living out of a backpack would be hard. But, the word the Lord kept whispering to me and putting before me was.. ‘Discipline’.

After reading Atomic Habits by James Clear, my whole perspective on this was completely changed. I determined I did not want to be a person who made excuses; I believe we should live every day that the Lord blesses us in excellence and with His fiery purpose.

Though, things look much different for my self care here on the race: my face does not get as clean as I desire, at the end of most days I am covered in dirt, my skin is very dry and hair often oily. 

But, God whispers to me “start small”. James Clear states, “All big things come from small beginnings. The seed of every habit is a single, tiny decision.”

So, in the stillness of starting my day with the Father I ask,

“What can I do today to bring me into a better tomorrow.”

And then proceed to write a note on my phone of the things I would like to accomplish in the hours set before me, such as:

Take vitamins

clean face before bed

do something active

write for 30 minutes.

read a chapter

and so on..

Here, however, we are 4 months into the race; there have been many days where I have failed to have such discipline.

Currently, I have dirt under my nails that has been there since the start of the week; my feet are in pretty rough (almost reaching dangerous) condition. I am certainly not usually a pedicure girl, but would not say no to one now. I use baby wipes to clean pretty much everything (including myself). I consider it to be a good, clean day when my legs are shaven and my hair has been washed out of a bucket. Every clothing-item I have in my pack is some sort of dirty (thank Jesus for febreeze)!

I say this not to paint a “woe is me “ picture. I say this from a place of much joy and contentment. This month on the race has put into perspective for me: the many things I do not need, the many things that do not matter, the many things I can give and bless another with.

The Lord has been teaching me what matters truly matters. 

I have Him, and He is everything.

Now yes, I am so thankful for showers, coffee, clean clothes, beds..and the many other simple joys of life. Yet, I do not want the lack of any of these things to ever steal my contentment.

I used to read the story of Abraham in Genesis 22, and say how can His faith be so strong to be willing to sacrifice his son. Yet, now I see this as how we should be with everything we have or might obtain in this life. We should possess a spirit willing to bring it before God with hands wide open saying I trust You, Father. Seeing that we only have life because He has blessed us with it. Another tid-bit I would like to press on is that.. our God is good! He does not long to rob us of what brings us joy, but I do long for my joy to be so deeply rooted in Him that the loss of anything from this world, again, would never hinder my contentment. There is nothing in this life that I long to hold onto tighter than God’s Hand.

It is a daily thing..Laying it all down before God with open hands. As Proverbs says, I do not want to live this life leaning on my own understanding; I know my life is in the Hand of the Maker. 

Father, Thank you for opening my eyes outside of my own little world.

Continue making me.

Lord, I ask for discipline to start small.

The discipline to show up to everyday and to make the most out of what has been given.

I give it all to You, God, trusting and living in full dependence on You.

Let the posture of my heart today be thankfulness.

Your Beloved, Kel