Devotions from the Back Row

Devotions from the Back Row

Saturday, August 22, 2026

Jenny Stutts

“Self-Care Saturday…Does it Honor God?”

The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself; There is no commandment greater

than these. (Mark 12:31)

It was not until I was completely broken down with food poisoning this past Thursday

night, utterly unable to get out of bed or handle a single responsibility, that a very clear

truth finally hit me. Lying there in the dark, feeling miserable, I realized my first actual

break from responsibilities in months was being violently ill. I had not been giving myself

any rest, and my body literally had to shut down just to force a pause. Reflecting even

back to my brief family vacation, I was up early taking an Excel class and listening to my

textbook on audible on the journey.

I decided right then that I was going to change that.

That is why I found myself looking down at my feet today, admiring my very first

pedicure in five years. I stepped away from my responsibilities for a few hours, grabbed

good food, got a new piercing, and bought some new clothes with a close friend. It truly

was a relaxing, fun, joyous day.

Sitting in that massage chair, in the nail salon, feeling a tinge of guilt, I said a prayer. A

very real thought (answer?) crossed my mind. I do not have a husband to dote over me

right now. I have to be the one who does it. And if I am not taking care of me, who will?

If nobody is looking out for my well-being, how am I supposed to actually thrive?

This is not just for moms or women. This is for every single adult, man or woman, who

feels the daily grind of providing, raising a family, working a job, or going to school. In

Christian culture, we often get caught up in the idea that giving until we drop is the

ultimate sign of faith. We run ourselves ragged and treat exhaustion like a badge of

honor. I know I am guilty of this, so I’m writing this for Jenny for sure…and I am sure

there’s someone else who this resonates with.

So, let us actually look at what Jesus says in Mark 12:31.

When Jesus gives the second greatest commandment, He does not say to completely

deplete yourself for everyone else until you collapse. He says, “love your neighbor as

yourself.”

Look at that standard of measurement. Jesus is establishing your own self care and self

love as the baseline for how you love the people around you. You cannot extend

genuine compassion, patience, and kindness to your kids, your coworkers, or your

friends if you are running on empty and neglecting your own soul. The commandment

naturally assumes you are feeding, resting, and caring for your own body and mind.

It’s wild sometimes how we skip over these very clear biblical standards. Here I am

skipping myself on the regular and feeling guilt when I slow down but it turns out my

self-care Saturday was biblical.

Paul echoes this same truth in Ephesians 5:29 when he points out that nobody naturally

hates their own body, but instead feeds and cares for it. In 1 Corinthians 6:19, we are

reminded that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. If God entrusted you with this

vessel, ignoring its needs is not holiness. It is poor stewardship.

Taking an afternoon to pamper yourself, buying new clothes that make you feel good, or

simply sitting in the quiet is not selfish. It is intentional stewardship. When you replenish

your own spirit, you can look around at your life and realize how deeply grateful you are

for the career, the home, the kids, and the people God has given you to love.

We do not need to wait until illness or total burnout forces us into a corner. Taking care

of yourself is the very thing that allows you to show up and thrive for everyone else.

I was able to return home Saturday evening feeling so relaxed and positive, feed my

children dinner and start prepping for a big catering I have coming up next weekend. As

I prepped I sang worship songs, and felt immense gratitude for such a beautiful life with

so many to care for and that care for me.

Reflections: Self-Care Saturday…Does it Honor God?

A Prayer for Us

Lord, thank You for the reminder that we are precious in Your sight. Forgive us for the

times we treat exhaustion like a virtue and run ourselves into the ground. Teach us how

to truly love ourselves the way You intended, so we can love our families, our friends,

and our neighbors from an overflowing cup. Give us the wisdom to intentionally rest,

pamper our bodies, and care for our spirits, so we can thrive in the beautiful life You

have entrusted to us. Amen.

Discussion Question:

How do you personally tell the difference between serving your family and friends

faithfully, and crossing the line into unhealthy burnout?

Take Home and Reflect

1. What is one specific area of your life where you have been running on empty,

and what is one practical way you can pour back into your own cup this week?

2. Read Mark 12:31 again. How does viewing self-care as the baseline for loving

others change the way you view your own physical and emotional needs?

3. When you look at the boundary lines of your life today, what is one part of your

beautiful inheritance you are most grateful for right now?

Song for Reflection

"Breathe" by Jonny Diaz

God gently whispers to just stop, breathe, and rest at His feet.