Jul 18, 2013

When My Day is Done



Dear Weary Mom,

After the kids go to bed another part of my day begins. This is my time to reflect on everything that went on, planned or not.

I think about how I reacted to my youngest boy having a meltdown at the pool, the way I dealt with my daughter falling off her bike, and what I said to my oldest son who needs a lot of redirection.

Then my minds drifts to my husband and how we haven't had a complete conversation since he walked through the door two hours before. I want to share my whole day with him but we're both exhausted. We tell each other highlights and then he watches TV while I work on my blog.

I read other blogs, reply to comments on recent posts, search endless tutorials for extra ways to be "better", connect on Twitter, check Facebook, and then read emails.

I do not slow down until my head hits the pillow and even then I'm planning the next day. Where are we going to play? What should I make for dinner? What chores need to be done?

Before I had children I planned everything. Now that I have three planning is more of a wish than anything.

We moms do a lot of repetitive work to keep our house moving.

 The daily grind of everyday things becomes tiring. We try to get by without adding anything else to our already filled-to-the-brim plates. The night escapes from us too quickly and we wake up to do it all over again.

We.Need.Rest.

Did you read the line above??

WE.NEED.REST.

In the book of Mark the story of Jesus feeding five thousand is miraculous. I can only imagine the excitement the apostles experienced as they handed out fish, after fish, after fish. They must have been elated to be with Jesus during those moments, probably a little nervous too. This man was doing amazing things right in front of them!

Look at Mark 6:30-32

"The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, 'Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.' So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place."

After all of the day's excitement Jesus knew he and his friends needed QUIET and REST

I read these words and think of how much I try to squeeze into my day instead of resting a little and then working, resting a little more and then working a little more.  Jesus knew what he needed and made it happen.

Weary mommas, let's take some time to rest, be still, and ready ourselves for what is next on the to-do list. We know our list doesn't end but we can be more prepared to serve our family and ourselves. 

14 comments:

  1. I love this! Resting is something I continually struggle with. It hit home this afternoon as I sat down to work on my blog during nap time and instead fell asleep for two hours. I didn't even know my eyes had closed! I don't think it's healthy to get that worn out, yet time and time again I find myself there. I love life, am passionate about all I do and get so excited for the next thing that I don't stop to consider my God-given needs. I am currently working on how to figure more sleep into my schedule. It's got to be possible if I'm just willing to pray and ask how.

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  2. Anne, so glad you stopped by this evening! It is so easy for us to get caught up in the things that excite us and I know God wants us to be passionate about life. But you are right, God does instill needs in us and one is for rest!! Blessings to you friend!

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  3. Oh yes! But I am resting when I do my painting and I feel rejuvenated after. I think it's not so much rest as taking time for yourself! patsy

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    1. Patsy, it's always nice to rest while doing something you love. I find that all of the "rest" I do while on the computer is not really rest. Reading and rest go hand in hand for me! Have a great Friday, friend!

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  4. This is beautiful and so true. So many of us find it hard to give ourselves permission to stop. Thanks for sharing in such a gentle, yet challenging way.

    I linked here from Fellowship Fridays and thought you might want to link this post at the linkup I host called Essential Fridays.

    www.essentialthingdevotions.com

    I'm sure my readers would love to see this!

    Blessings.

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    1. Thanks so much Mel, I will link up with you! Permission is key and it is hard to give. Blessings to you!

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  5. Rest is so important. For me it's not necessarily physical rest so much as emotional rest that I find I need. A few minutes of time alone each day where no one is asking for something from me. The constant being needed by young children is very wearying.

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  6. "A few minutes of time alone each day when no one is asking for something from me." I agree! We all need to be in the silence sometimes. So glad you stopped by today!

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  7. I needed this. Thank you so much. Everything you wrote sounds like you are describing me, my life, my personality, my planning and my days! i was laying in bed realizing i didn't even know how to rest anymore and couldn't even finish a prayer because my thoughts kept getting distracted. Sigh. How to rest?! Thanks for the encouragement and reminder

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    1. No problem! So glad you came to visit today.

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  8. Sarah ... beyond blessed. You crazy splashed me happy. So delighted to meet you. I hope you don't mind if I splash around a bit to get to know you. This looks like a refreshing place to dip into some serious goodness.

    I would love you to share this post! A group of moms gather each week. I usually post on Mondays, but missed it this week. I start jotting a few notes and then others join in. You can post whenever, doesn't have to be anything new, it can be a gem nestled in your pages. I get the filled to the brim momma schedules.

    Just moms. Sharing our notes. Creating a melody.

    http://justsarahdawn.blogspot.com/2013/07/syllable-by-syllable.html

    Be blessed,
    Sarah

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  9. Hi Sarah! So glad you stopped by today. I shared a post on your site today and am happy to share more. Blessings to your new addition!

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