Don’t try to do everything—take time to refresh your body and spirit.

不必事事躬亲，当保养顾惜身心灵。

Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.

Mark 6:31

你们来，同我暗暗地到旷野地方去歇一歇。-马可福音6章31节

After my husband underwent heart surgery, I spent an anxious night by his hospital bed. Mid-morning, I remembered a scheduled haircut. “I’ll have to cancel,” I said, raking my fingers distractedly through my straggly hair.

“Mom, just wash your face and go to your appointment,” my daughter said.

“No, no,” I insisted. “It doesn’t matter. I need to be here.”

“I’ll stay,” Rosie said. “Self-care, Mom. . . . Self-care. You’re of more use to Dad if you take care of yourself.”

丈夫刚动了心脏手术，我在病床边度过了焦虑的一夜。隔天上午，我想起发廊的预约，心烦意乱地用手顺了顺散乱的头发说：「我要取消预约。」女儿说：「妈，去洗个脸然后到美发院去吧！」我坚持说：「不行，我要留在这儿。」女儿又说：「我会留在这里的。妈，妳要爱惜自己呀！妳把自己照顾好，对爸爸才是最好的。」

Moses was wearing himself out serving alone as judge over the Israelites. Jethro cautioned his son-in-law Moses: “You will only wear [yourself] out. The work is too heavy . . . you cannot handle it alone” (Ex. 18:18). He then explained ways that Moses could delegate his work and share his heavy load with others.

在旧约中，摩西独自一人审理以色列百姓的纠纷，以致身心具疲。因此摩西的岳父叶忒罗警告他：「你和这些百姓必都疲惫，因为这事太重，你独自一人办理不了」（出埃及记18章18节）。接着他建议摩西拣选有才能的人，共同分担审理的重任。

Though it may seem paradoxical for the Christian, self-care is essential for a healthy life (Matt. 22:37-39; Eph. 5:29-30). Yes, we must love God first and love others as well, but we also need to get adequate rest to renew our body and spirit. Sometimes self-care means stepping away and graciously allowing others to help us with our burdens.

对基督徒而言，爱惜自己好像不大合乎圣经教导，但实则不然，因为这对身心健康非常重要（马太福音22章37-39节；以弗所书5章29-30节） 。的确，基督徒确实要先爱主我们的上帝，并要爱人如己，但也要有足够的休息，才能使身心灵得到更新。有时，爱惜自己是暂时退到一旁，乐意让他人一同分担我们的重担。

Jesus often slipped away to rest and pray (Mark 6:30-32). When we follow His example, we will be more effective in our relationships and better able to give care to others.

耶稣常悄悄地退到一旁休息和祷告（马可福音6章30-32节） 。若我们效法祂的榜样，就能建立美好的人际关系，也更能顾念别人。

Dear Lord, refresh my spirit today. Help me to bring balance to my life as I juggle my responsibilities. Thank You for Your love and care.

亲爱的主啊，请更新我心灵，让我能同时兼顾

心灵的健康和各样的责任。
感谢祢的慈爱和看顾。