Hot Baths & Lavished By Love
My love for luxurious baths started several years ago when a dear friend of mine said that I should imagine soaking in the love of God whilst I had hot bubble baths.
To some people that might seem rather odd, but I liked this idea. I don’t even remember the context of our conversation but it always stuck with me.
Internally at the time I was dealing with a lot of shame and self hatred which caused me to feel disconnected from any feeling of freedom. I felt contained and fearful and it was really bugging me. I remember during this time I felt so lonely despite being around so many people. I remember feeling such an injustice because I felt like my outgoing personality was being robbed from me. I wanted the world around me to see who I truly was but I had this force within me that would just stop me from living freely. I had absolutely no idea how to love myself.
“Where do I even start” I would think to myself.
I started to have bubble baths everyday and I’d relax in the presence of God as my thoughts would organise themselves. I felt so anxious throughout the day and even when I went home there would be so many people because I was living on a uni campus at the time. I just wanted to hide. I would look forward to my bath time because this time became my secret place with God..
As I look back on my journey I see how this was the place where I started to really accept myself and let Gods love in my heart. There would be times where I would cry and cry and cry as the pain from the past and the present would come out and then, Gods love would pour in. It wasnt a neat process, it was messy. As my pain came up it was as if Jesus was taking it. I would be aware of hopeless situations in my life and wonder if I would ever be on the other side. I didn’t see a way out. My prayer during this time was: ‘Lord, fill the gaps in my heart, fill the gaps’ and he truly answered that prayer, because this was where I started to learn the value of my life and identity. My heart began to heal. Of course as life unravels and presents new circumstances and insecurities, this process is ongoing, but He is faithful as I give Him my ‘ashes’ He pours in His beauty and He continues to let His ‘perfect love case of all fear’ 1 John 4:18.
Lovely one, do you struggle with shame or self hatred? It’s only human if you do..
If you don’t know where to start with letting the love of Jesus heal your heart maybe you could start having daily baths and say a little prayer whilst you’re in there. And just like my friend said to me: “imagine you are soaking in Gods love.” receiving in faith that He is doing a beautiful work. God LOVES it when we have faith.
Because this is a sacred time away from everyone else where you are lavished by love. Why not make it beautiful? Create a bath space that you love. Make this time special. Make this time beautiful. Here’s a few idea’s for you.
Make it look pretty for yourself.
Light some candles. Sprinkle petals. Throw in a bath bomb. Get your skin care out ready to go. Put some flowers in a vase. Bubbles! You always need bubbles. x
Pen and paper.
The bath is one of my prayer places, so I always have to take my journal with me in case I sense God speaking and I can scribble down what I sense the Holy Spirit saying.
Set the atmosphere.
Put on a relaxing playlist. I love listening to classical music when I’m in the bath and I also like to have a cup of herbal tea or a glass of cold water. Take some lovely deep breaths and settle into your bath.
Bath time will always be a sacred time for me.
Not only is it practically a beautiful way to rest physically but it is also a beautiful way to rest spiritually.
Enjoy your bath, rest well, and let the Lord take your worries.
X