 A
Note From Mary
Dear
Fellow Mom,
Happy
Valentine’s Day! If there ever was a day to show yourself
a little extra kindness, this is it. After all, Valentine’s
Day is all about love, isn’t it?
Jesus
had something to say about self-love in Matthew 22:39.
The Pharisees asked him about the greatest commandment.
He answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart
and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is
the first and greatest commandment. And the second is
like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Emphasis
mine.)
Notice
that Jesus doesn’t stop with the words, “Love your neighbor.”
Instead, He commands us to love our neighbors as ourselves.
I think this part of the commandment is often overlooked.
How
do you show others you love them? If you’re like me, you
might do it by helping with homework or other chores,
making a favorite meal, surprising someone with an unexpected
gift, or by letting a family member sleep when they are
tired or sick. How quick we are to do these random acts
of kindness for others--and how slow we are to do them
for ourselves.
If
it’s been awhile since you’ve shown yourself a little
self love, I invite you to set aside some time today.
Read a book. Write in your journal. Call a friend. Take
a hot bath. Take yourself out to lunch. Or, better yet,
do it all! Remember, it’s Valentine’s Day—a day for love.
As you’re showing others how you feel about them today,
don’t forget that Jesus commands us to show a little self
love as well.
Strengthening families by encouraging moms,
Mary Byers
If you have a mom friend who would be encouraged by this
e-mail, would you kindly forward it to her? Thanks!
Springfield
Book Signing
If
you live in the Springfield , Illinois area, you’re cordially
invited to attend an upcoming book signing for The
Mother Load. I’ve joined with Family Christian Stores
and Barnes and Noble for a combination book signing and
donation drive. During the signing, we’ll be collecting
items to ease another mother’s load. Donations shared
will help ease the load of moms served by MERCY Communities,
which provides transitional housing for mothers and their
children.
The
combination book signings and donation drives are scheduled
as follows:
| Family
Christian Stores
February
15
6:30-8:30
p.m.
3435
Freedom Drive
Springfield,
Illinois |
Barnes
& Noble
February
23
7-9
pm.
3111
S. Veterans Pkwy.
Springfield,
Illinois
|
Donations
being accepted for M.E.R.C.Y. Communities include: diapers,
size 4 and 5 pull-ups, cleaning supplies, laundry detergent,
toilet paper, paper towels, Kleenex, disposable razors
and other personal hygiene items. Please note that donations
are invited, but not required. If you’re in the
area, I’d love to meet you in person!
Free
Books!
In
an effort to help spread the word about The Mother
Load , my publisher has agreed to provide a complimentary
book to any reader who has the ability to write a review
of the book for a local paper, newsletter, magazine, online
e-zine or other publication. If you qualify for this offer,
please e-mail me at mbyers@marybyers.com
. Include your name, mailing address, and the name(s)
of the publication you write for and I’ll see that you
get a book.
Sanity
Saver:
Food
coloring is a great sanity saver when the day seems longer
than your ability to get through it. Simply put a drop
in the bathtub, add inexpensive plastic fish and other
underwater creatures, and you’ve created a great diversion
for your children. This got me through many long Illinois
winter nights! With my kids content in the tub, I was
able to pay bills, read the paper, or make a phone call—all
within sight of the bathtub, of course!
|
February
14, 2005
Lightening the Load
eZine published by Mary Byers, Author of
The Mother Load
Table of Contents
 |
A
Note From Mary |
 |
Springfield
Book Signing |
| |
Free
Books |
 |
Sanity
Saver |
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