The 'Son' Shining On My Face: A Mom's Reminder When She Feels Overwhelmed

The heat index has reached triple digits as the sun bears down unforgivingly. The weather app mocks me as I try to find reprieve from the heat.

I surrender and stick my toes in the plastic oasis that my kids have claimed as their own. In a stolen moment of peace, the high pitched squeal of my youngest shatters the mirage of the ocean breeze on my face.

The whirl of fierce independence and toddler tantrums define my two year old; who was now in tears because her older brother stole her water pail. As fate would also have it, there was now a two inch gash in the splash pad, courtesy of my mischievous little.

Why did I dare to blink?! With a big sigh, serenity deflated from my mind, and the weight of my lack of summer planning pressed down on me with an unrelenting grin.

Inside, laundry was stacked to the ceiling, a never ending mountain of wet and grass stained clothes begging to be cleaned, folded, and put away.

The kitchen pantry begged to be restocked, as a full Walmart cart waited to be checked out and picked up. Every inch of my home seemed to be another chore waiting to be completed, regardless of whether I had completed that same task earlier in the day.

We all have bad days; days when we feel overwhelmed, we don’t know where to turn, and we do our best just to get by. I don’t know about you, but once I became a mother, they seemed to become far more frequent, especially after having our second child.

Between the never ending laundry, need for snack, grocery-stocking, cleaning, and just trying to retain a fraction of the self we used to know, life can, at times, seem relentless.

As a Christian, I know I cannot let the frustrations of life compete with the patience and perseverance that my faith demands. Even in the chaos of motherhood, the quiet truth of the Lord settles in my heart.

The Bible calls us to be servants, meaning to serve others before we think or serve ourselves. There is no greater example of service than to be a mother. We become short-order cooks, chauffeurs, and professional mediators, all fueled by a love that knows no bounds.

Yes, dinner might be lukewarm after we’ve fed our littles, but in those selfless acts, we fulfill a calling far greater than any earthly pursuit. Make no mistake, motherhood is the greatest of blessings and a sure way to fulfill our call to live according to the Word.

“And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all. And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them,“Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.”

Mark 9:35-37 ESV

Here, Jesus is teaching us a valuable lesson that should be applied to our journey in motherhood; by serving those with a lack of status in society (our children) we are living exactly as Jesus would have us to.

Jesus placing this child in the midst of the twelve shows us just how important our children are to the kingdom of Heaven.

If children are jewels in the eyes of our Savior, shouldn’t we, as mother’s, find value and embrace our roles as mothers with a grateful heart?

Make no mistake, our Lord knows that we are not perfect. He knows that we are flawed human beings with sinful hearts, and as mothers, we will have moments of frustration and hopelessness.

As we speak to Him, He continues to mold us into the mother that He has always intended us to be.

If you feel yourself feeling overwhelmed as a mother, take time to reach out to a trusted friend, who will guide you in the Word and remind you of your worth.

If you are currently finding yourself in a season where you’re feeling overwhelmed by motherhood, here are three practical tips to help you stay centered:

Pray

Lord, help me to remember the joy my children bring when I feel overwhelmed. Help me to feel your guidance, your work on my heart, and your comfort. In Isaiah 66:13, you speak, “as a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you.” Fill my body with your comforting embrace, Lord, and allow me to replicate that comfort to my own children. In your name I pray, Amen.

Find Joy in Parenting

At meal time, help your child learn the blessing for the food. Make a game during clean up time. Hug your child and cheer them on, especially during the little moments when they find independence and look to you for approval.

Practice Self-Care

As you struggle to maintain your sanity and physical health, try making time to go on a walk by yourself or go out for tea with a friend. It’s ok to need a break and I find if I prioritize a break in the name of my sanity, (1) I actually take time for myself and (2) I feel like a better mother because my mind is at ease and I have more patience with my littles.

With a new splash pad (thanks to a quick Amazon order) and a fresh perspective, my children and I dove back into our summer adventure. The breeze swept through my hair and I looked at the sky, the “Son” warming my face. A simple reminder that the Lord is good, and He has equipped me to handle the blessing of motherhood.