Feeling The Senses

I don’t know about you, but I have been tired and overwhelmed lately.

The weather is changing, the school year and its schedules have started, and the state of the world is weighing heavily on my mind. I find myself going through my days in a zombie-like state. I have shut off my emotions (to save energy) and set my switch to autopilot.

There are days when even getting dressed seems like a monumental chore and anything over and above the bare minimum is just too much to attempt. In other words, I am burnt out.

At church yesterday, the pastor reminded me that not only did oxen wear yokes, but people did too. Yokes allowed both free people and slaves to carry heavy loads. They were not built to be comfortable. They were usually carved from wood and were utilitarian more than anything. Just think of the strain a yoke would put on your shoulders and neck.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

I love that verse, don’t you?

I needed that reminder. Yes, events had seemed to put a yoke on my shoulders, but continuing to wear a heavy yoke was my own choice. I had forgotten to take the yoke of this world off and put on Jesus’ instead.

As I finally threw off the old yoke and began healing from all the “blisters” I had caused by wearing it, I realized that I needed to recharge even something as basic as my senses. Living on autopilot had dulled them so much that they were barely functioning.

First, I bought a nice quality fall candle. I made sure it had cozy autumn spices mixed into soy wax. When I lit it the smell was divine, and my nose started to wake up from its sleepy state.

While I was grocery shopping, I added a fall-flavored coffee creamer to my cart. Every morning, I now stir a bit of maple/brown sugar creaminess into my coffee. I sip it slowly and my tastebuds are happy.

“Taste and see that the Lord is good.” Psalm 34:8

I started turning music on in the house as a soundtrack to my day. Sometimes I crave quiet, instrumental pieces and sometimes I need happy and uplifting songs. My ears are waking up and joining in the party.

When I’m feeling gray, color does so much to cheer me up. I bought a bundle of wool felt in beautiful autumn colors. I picked out embroidery floss too and just started sewing. The jewel toned colors filled my eyes with joy.

Ann Kirsten

“But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear.” Matthew 13:16

Touch was next as I brought out my softest blankets and cuddled underneath them. The gray days don’t bother me if I am cozy in my “nest”.

To feed my heart, I arranged lunch out with a friend. You know, the kind of friend that knows you so well that you don’t have to entertain them and speech isn’t necessary? We sat staring into our cups for a while until we could share the pain we felt over the last week’s events. Sometimes all we could do was shake our heads sadly. But sitting together in our grief went a long way to give us what we needed to keep moving ahead.

By feeding all my senses, my soul began to come alive again. I found that scriptures were entering into my brain and not just bouncing off of me. My eyes have life in them again and I’m losing my robotic movement through the world. Since I have been pampering my senses, I don’t feel overwhelmed anymore and I’m able to dive back into the craziness of this life.

I am not only renewed, but I am ready to step deeper into my faith again. I’m so thankful for the senses God gave me. They are worth coddling for a while.

“Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning.” 1 Corinthians 15:34