I admit that I am pretty horrible at self-care. When I actually do take time, I usually feel guilty for doing it — which, of course, helps nothing.

Between an active recovery from surgery and enduring seemingly endless hammering outside my house, I really needed a break; some time that wasn’t devoted to getting to or from physical therapy, recovery, or listening to construction workers put siding up. I have a ton of work to do and I work from home. I’m one of those people that work best when I have some peace and quiet.

So we took off for the lake, despite regular daily temps in the high 90’s, a drought in the area, and a fire ban at the state park where we chose to camp. We can cook, but that’s the only allowable fire. Honestly, I wasn’t sure this would be any less stressful than the previous several weeks, although I was prepared to spend a good part of every day tackling work projects.

Sometimes, though, when you’re going through a drought and you need some mental recovery, you have to make it rain.

Along with the work, I’ve had time to breathe in, breathe out — and move on. Enjoy a breeze off the lake. Watch geese and ducks on the water. Listen to mockingbirds call to each other in the morning. Watch the clouds float across the sky and reflect down across the lake.

Great Blue Heron by our campsite after the storm.

Taking time to do these things has allowed me to get my thoughts in order for the many things I face over the months to come; lots of work, quite a few events, and eventually, another surgery before year’s end, as well as a new addition to the family. Taking a breather means I have more of me to give to all of these things, and I’ve already been making great strides this week.

I wish I could remember this lesson; I’m much more likely to run myself completely out of gas and then beat myself up for not meeting expectations. This does no one good; not those I serve and certainly not myself. Restoration is vital to growth, and the older I get, the more important it becomes.

Late yesterday, a storm blew up while we were at the lake. My husband had to hold down the dining canopy to keep it from flying off while I held on to an awning support to the camper. Our dog was inside, scared out of her wits; just before I came out, I felt the whole camper rock. Granted, it’s a small camper, but that’s never an easy feeling. We had to wait the storm out and then clean up afterward, but now that the storm is gone, we’re left with moderate temperatures and beautiful weather on the lake. The dog is happy, again, and the sky is blue.

It’s better to take the break and let the rains come than to build up to a storm. Simply put, there are times when we just have to make it rain.