2 Timothy 2:21 (NIV)
“Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.”

It is early Saturday morning, and while the house stays cozy thanks to the new furnace and the warm hum of the dryer, I’m looking ahead to Monday with a grateful heart. What makes this morning truly special is my plan to do something wonderfully kind for myself—a small surprise to honor the vessel God has given me.

This reflection was sparked by a conversation with my husband. After I shared how I was surrendering my friend’s children to God’s care, he looked up from his game and gave me a gentle nudge: “Don’t forget to work on your book.” He believes my genealogy project has “Best Seller” potential, and while I pray he’s right, his words reminded me of a deeper truth.

So many of us have been conditioned to put everyone else first while our own dreams and lives go undone. I don’t know if I was born with a “kind spirit” or if my parents cultivated it, but in the end, the origin doesn’t matter as much as how we use it.

Kindness is a beautiful gift, but we must remember: being kind does not mean being anyone’s fool. It means caring for others while maintaining the healthy boundaries that keep us from being depleted. Without those boundaries, we eventually lose our ability to help anyone at all.

A Prayer for Healthy Boundaries

Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of a kind and caring heart. Help me to remember that my body and mind are Your temple, and that caring for myself is an act of worship. Grant me the wisdom to set healthy boundaries so I am not drained by the demands of others, but instead remain a usable vessel for Your purposes. Teach me when to say “yes” and give me the courage to say “no” when it is needed to protect the peace You have given me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.