Heading into Melbourne to go to an art exhibition and maybe grab some lunch afterward. Hubster and I were heading out, it had been way too long between dates outside the home.

Honesty, I didn’t feel like going; neither of us did. My body was exhausted, and I was processing so much. It would have been easy to slip into the rhythm of just doing the basics, remaining a home-body. Home was comfortable and relatively easy.

But it also allowed life to remain stilted, paralyzed or on pause.

I wanted to change. I wanted to press play.

I wanted Life to begin again.

God had answers for me.

Yes, He wanted more for me, for us.

Yes, as we sat in the food court, I noted a large advertising sign which gave me the most important strategy of all.

“First we eat, then we do everything else.”

What on earth does this mean? I hear you ask.

Before I do anything else.

Before I leap into life’s busyness, tasks, and the never-ending to-do list.

Eat.

Feast.

Ensure there is enough fuel in the tank for the day ahead.

As a Jesus lover and follower, I might eat a little differently from you – I might not too.

But however you eat, do it first.

For me it involves some of the following:

1. Resting/Praying/Meditating.
2. Tech free time.
3. Time spent tending my garden and conversing with God.
4. Sitting still for a moment to reflect.
5. Letting go of the peripherals and focusing on the main thing.
6. Fostering thankfulness.
7. Celebrating wins.
8. Physically eating and drinking well – the type that blesses my body.
9. Journaling my emotions, worries, and cares.
10. Letting go of the things that tie me up inside.
11. Leaping into the Bible – starting somewhere and deciding to read and then let it digest for a bit.

These are just some of the things that help me eat first, then do everything else.

They help set me up for the day. And when Lunchtime comes, I can put some more fuel in the tank for the afternoon. Isn’t it amazing how something like a small advertising sign at a shopping center food court, can impact the day and prompt us to better health.

God is always speaking.