Last Updated on July 14, 2018
It is two minutes till midnight and I am a full hour past my self-professed bedtime. I wander into my kids’ bedrooms, re-cover them, give them a kiss, and linger a bit to feel their soft baby skin. I never want my pre-bedtime ritual to disappear. As I stand there my mind rewinds through our day.
Was it a good day?
Was it an intentional day?
Unfortunately, I want to reprimand myself for the moments that I grew frustrated too quickly, for stealing too many minutes to be on the computer, and for using the television as entertainment. I stop and think “I didn’t sacrifice enough for them today!” But the reality is that I didn’t feel like I had any more to give them.
Raise your hand if you have ever been on overload as a mom. All the hands out there are raised, right? If not, then please email me because the rest of us would like to dissect you!
IT. IS. GOING. TO. HAPPEN!
You are going to feel done, overwhelmed, like toast, like giving up, shutting down, walking out, and wondering if all of it is worth it. There are going to be days that you just want to burst!
The question becomes “what has caused this feeling?”
If I am 100% honest, the times I wish I was a bear and allowed to hibernate is when I have filled myself up with junk!
Junk such as…
- too much social media,
- too many to-do’s,
- too many extras,
- too many late nights (like I am pulling as I write this),
- too many comparison games
- too many expectations
- and too many priorities other than my family.
- The full feeling I actually desire comes from one place. “You, LORD, are all I want! You are my choice, and you keep me safe” (Psalm 16:5).
As moms if we are going to avoid falling in quick sand then we must remember …
[verse reference=”Psalm 31:4″]Keep me free from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge.[/verse]
God is our refuge. Is He my refuge? Is He your refuge?
I say He is. But where do I go when I want to be an ostrich?
I go to…
- Food
- TV
- Food
- My computer
- My blog
- Other blogs
I am not sure what I am thinking. Do I really think more noise will dampen the sound of me exploding?
Why can’t I remember my favorite verse in those times?
[verse reference=”Psalm 46:10″]Be still and know that I am God.[/verse]
In the midst of kid chaos we can find God. We can close our eyes, take a deep breath, and breathe in:
“Be still.” Deep breath … “And know that I am God.” Deep breath!
Repeat.
“Be still.” Deep breath … “And know that I am God.” Deep breath!
It is God that gave us the blessing of life, love, and children and it is God that will provide the remedy when it feels like too much.
When the journey of motherhood seems like a dark and worrisome path please remember …
[verse reference=”Psalm 36:9″]You are the giver of life. Your light lets us enjoy life.[/verse]
You are life. Please, enjoy!
Bio: Carey Bailey‘s husband describes her as a woman who loves to dance around the living room in her pj’s, loves Blue Bell Pralines and Cream ice cream, loves her kids, and loves Jesus! This fun-loving mother of two also has a passion for helping fellow women discover ways to create a powerful relationship with Christ. She is the author of Cravings, an innovative 40 day devotional for busy moms that allows them to draw closer to the Lord in the midst of busyness. And the bonus is that is comes with a zero calorie cupcake.
Connect with her at CravingstheBlog.
Thank you so much for the honor of sharing and being in community with fabulous Mamas!
With Joy, Carey
Those ostrich moments sound all too familiar! So glad to know I am not alone. Thank you for the reminder to turn to what fills and satisfies in my moments of doubts, rather than just seeking distraction!
You are most certainly not alone. I wouldn’t survive motherhood if it wasn’t for scripture and sage advice from other mamas. Oh, and lots of prayer! With Joy, Carey
Beautifully written, sister dreamer! I still remember those nighttime tuck-ins, though ours are now 16 and 12. This was a perfectly lovely way to remind weary mamas that it’s all okay…
“When the journey of motherhood seems like a dark and worrisome path please remember …
Psalm 36:9: “You are the giver of life. Your light lets us enjoy life.”
Peace and good to you.
Thanks for stopping by! I look forward to the rituals that must come when they are older too. With Joy, Carey
Noise. What a great way to describe all the things we run to when we’re feeling overwhelmed. I’m going to get Psalm 46:10 printed out and posted. Thanks for the reminder that we’re not alone AND where we need to run when we get that overwhelmed feeling.
My Southern mother would not be happy but if I EVER had a tattoo it should be of Psalm 46:10! Thanks for saying “hi!” With Joy, Carey
This is so true for me. Even though my kids are grown, I still retreat to noise to fill my mind when I’m feeling overwhelmed, over-stress and all the rest. Thank you for sharing.
Glad this met you where you were at…no matter what stage of motherhood. Glad you stopped by. With Joy, Carey
Great post Carey! I loved your reminder, “It is God that gave us the blessing of life, love, and children and it is God that will provide the remedy when it feels like too much.” So inspiring! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for the encouragement Lisa! Praying for your journey. With Joy, Carey
Here is my favorite part: In the midst of kid chaos we can find God. We can close our eyes, take a deep breath, and breathe in:
“Be still.” Deep breath … “And know that I am God.” Deep breath!
Repeat.
“Be still.” Deep breath … “And know that I am God.” Deep breath!
Thank you for the reminder that it is okay to just BE STILL.
Those be still moments are to be cherished, right? Thanks for stopping by. With Joy, Carey
Thank you for putting into words what so many moms feel, but don’t like to talk about. For those moments when I feel like I’m drowning, you have reminded me of the most important tool I have in my tool chest.
“Be still.” Deep breath … “And know that I am God.” Deep breath!
Repeat.
“Be still.” Deep breath … “And know that I am God.” Deep breath!
As I hear my kids arguing in the next room right now, I think I’ll start practicing! 🙂
Please know you are never alone! God is always there and I am sure there is a fellow mama that will always take your call. Enjoy your deep breaths, With Joy, Carey
I’ve been there! I was studying the Old Testament idea of gleaming–leaving room around the edges. I’m looking at my own life to find room for God to use me. Thanks for sharing! Loved hearing from you!
Mmmmmm…I love the word picture in leaving room around the edges. Thanks for your inspiration! With Joy, Carey
Being still and spending time in God’s presence is crucial for us busy mama’s. Thank you for the timely reminder!
You are so welcome. Thank you for stopping by. With Joy, Carey
Wow. Your honesty and authenticity honed right into my inner most fears, frustrations, and concerns about feeling alone in this whole motherhood thing! I am encouraged greatly in remembering to “be still” and to rest in God’s peace and understanding. That while motherhood can feel overwhelming, it doesn’t have to be. We have a great big God on our side. This came at the perfect time for me! Thanks!
You do have an incredible God on your side. He created heavens and earth and if He can do that than He can help us through anything. Praying for your journey mama. You are never alone. With Joy, Carey
This post spoke right to me. I struggle with feeling like I do so many things everyday, and yet accomplish nothing that matters. Thank you for the reminder that God can provide the refuge we need if we rely on him in those moments of craziness.
Ooooh how I know that same struggle all too well! Thankful we can use each other and our awesome God to bring order to the chaos. With Joy, Carey
If only I had a quarter for every time I wondered if the day had been intentional enough! Thank you for the reminder that I’m not the only one 🙂
Seriously! I think the word intentional will be my word of the year for the rest of my life. I am not sure I will ever master it. But I can try my best! With Joy, Carey
It is so hard, to not be hard on ourselves isn’t it?! Thanks for the reminder to be still and know who the giver of life is!
You are welcome. Thanks for stopping by and offering your thoughts. With Joy, Carey
Such a GREAT reminder to take deep breathes in and out…. in the world today it is so easy to get caught up in the chaos and forget to breathe in and out and seek God for peace!
Enjoy the air that comes in breathing deep! You deserve it mama! With Joy, Carey
What a wonderful reminder to stop and be more intentional in all we do.