Intentional Motherhood: Habits for True Self CareSample

Somewhere things got twisted. Somewhere we started to believe that parenting is only about sacrifice, and sure, that’s true to a point (I felt like I didn’t go to the bathroom alone for about a decade).

We started to think that taking time for ourselves to relax, recharge, or even go to dental appointments was somehow selfish.

But what if I told you there is a different and better way to live?

The truth is moms aren’t meant to pour themselves out so completely that they have nothing left. We aren’t actually supposed to relinquish every second of our lives for our kids. In reality, moms who make time for things outside of parenting are better mothers to their children.

If you are like me, this was a hard lesson to learn. I know all too well the list that runs through your mind - all the things that need to be done - what you should be doing. I know what it feels like to wonder what will happen if you don’t do every little thing.

Let me stop right there. There are only so many hours in the day, and running yourself ragged serves no one. There isn’t a Mother of the Year Award that we all get, even though I think we all deserve it.

I mean, let’s take Jesus, for example.

Jesus, the perfect Son of God, took time for Himself. We see it all over the Gospels. For instance, in Mark 6:31, we see Jesus instructing the disciples to go away to a desolate place to rest for a while. And again, in Luke 5:16, scripture says But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.

I believe Jesus demonstrated an unwavering confidence in God to handle all things while He was away.

He was practicing what we see in Jeremiah 17:7-8: Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”

I hope this liberates you. If Jesus took time for Himself to relax, recharge, and be away from others so that He could spend time with the father, I think we can do the same.

Jesus - who for sure knew the needs of everyone around Him - believed His needs were important enough to attend to. He did not appear to think it was selfish for Him to take a minute to Himself.

So, this is your permission. Take the walk. Go read a good book. Get alone. Pray. Your needs are important, and the example Jesus set for us was to take some time for ourselves and to trust God with everything while we’re gone.

To that, we can say amen and amen!

Lord, today I find myself in need. I need your help. I need your peace. I need you to restore me. I trust you with the details. Lord, show me where, when, and how to take time so I can continue loving my family well for the long haul. Amen.