Intentional Motherhood: Habits for True Self CareSample

I’ve been raising children for what seems like forever - almost 25 years now - and if there’s one thing that has been true in every stage of mothering, it’s this: mothering is exhausting.

Babies wake in the night, toddlers test your limits all the livelong day, teenagers only seem to have their crisis moments after midnight, and even adult children - can leave us worrying just like when they were little.

That’s just the way it is.

Physically, emotionally, and spiritually—kids can wear you out.

We don’t have to stay worn out, though. There is a way for mothers to find rest, even in the longest and the hardest seasons. You may be thinking, “There’s no way I can rest! You don’t know my schedule! Look at all that is on my plate!”

I hear you. I know how it is. I do!

Listen closely for a minute: you can find time to rest.

You may have to be creative, you may have to make a few changes, you may have to ask for help, serve cereal for dinner more often (gasp! It’s okay. I know there are vitamins in cereal. They’ll be fine!) but you can find ways to recharge and relax just a little bit. Steal those moments away.

And you have to because you were not made to work around the clock for weeks on end.

God literally designed you to take it easy occasionally.

Did you hear that? God made you to rest. That’s why you and I get so tired.

That’s why your body and soul crave refreshment and rejuvenation.

You are supposed to get tired. And when you’re not resting, you’re more tired. It goes against you. It goes against your design and invites burnout and a breakdown.

God demonstrated how He wants us to rest when He rested for the creation of the world. God also showed the importance of rest for the nation of Israel by making keeping the Sabbath one of the commandments.

Leviticus 23:3 says, “Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation. You shall do no work. It is a Sabbath to the Lord in all your dwelling places.”

Did you catch that? He calls the Sabbath, the day of rest, holy. Sabbath is holy. Rest is holy. Rest is worship.

Here’s why: resting forces us to trust that God is still at work, even when we aren’t.

It helps us see that we cannot do it all and that we serve a God who never tires or requires rest. Rest reminds us of our rightful place as humans and puts God in His place as the One who is all-powerful.

If you are like me, you believe the Sabbath is holy. You believe that God has commanded you to rest. You just can’t figure out how to slow down long enough to enjoy it sometimes. I get it. The truth is, tasks and to-do lists will never stop, but you were made to rest in a weekly rhythm.

And lest you think this is just one more thing that you have to get wrong and feel some mom guilt about, let me set you free. Start small.

Maybe a full day isn’t possible when you’re in the middle of your mothering journey, especially when kids are younger. I get it. I’ve been there. I understand. That’s okay. Take an hour. And then maybe next week, take two hours.

The thing about rhythms is that we often have to grow into them. And I believe God is the kind of father who cheers you on as you try to follow His commands.

So take it easy, and enjoy the journey. Go for a little rest in your life, and God will see you through.

Amen?

Lord, I am tired. I am weary and burdened with exhaustion that I didn’t realize was possible. I need your help to worship you through rest. Show me how and where to find time to relax and recharge. Teach me how to slow down and live life at the pace you have set for me. Amen.