A letter of Encouragement for the Overwhelmed Mom.
As moms, we all have days of weariness. There are days when the baby didn’t sleep well and we start the day feeling behind, overwhelmed, and exhausted; days when we have so many things that must be done, that we have no idea how to get them all done; days when our kids are constantly getting into trouble or making messes; days when it seems as if we cannot accomplish the tiniest tasks because we are constantly being interrupted by spilled milk, by someone bumping their head, or by the dirty diaper that needs immediate attention.
What thoughts race through your mind on the days that it seems, we must simply make it through? On days that seem out of control and that seem to have “gotten away from us”, it is easy to lose control of our thoughts and emotions as well. But our thoughts and our mindset are paramount to how we respond to the circumstances of the day. Our thoughts can make or break a day and when we are discouraged, sometimes we need a change of perspective.
You are not a victim of the circumstances of the day.
Today can be a good day even if it is not perfect. Even if you feel tired and groggy, or you accidentally frittered away hours on social media, you can still take responsibility for the remainder of the day. When you wake up late, or something doesn’t go as planned, you might be tempted to think there is no point trying to accomplish anything, or that the day is ruined. But this is not true. Whether you wake up at 5:00 AM or 10:00 AM, there is still a great deal of the day left to be lived.
Whatever mistakes you made already today are part of the past. You can choose to live the rest of the day faithfully and well, or with a defeated attitude. Be grateful for today. Decide to take responsibility for what is left of the day, not fretting about the part that is already past.
Kids are not an interruption.
Kids are a wonderful blessing. But sometimes when things seem to have fallen apart, we can blame our kids because they are physically making messes or interrupting us from the many things on our to-do lists. However, our kids are much more important than any of the tasks we want to get done. Raising our children is the real work.
As parents, our most important work is teaching our children. Kind words and a positive attitude on mom’s part can help to curb the behavior of a child who is having a rough day himself. Kids are not out to make our lives harder. Remember to give your kids some grace, and to recognize that they are people too, who also get tired and have emotions all their own. They might just need some snuggles, and some stories, or maybe a nap and a snack. Notice how little they are, and acknowledge that their littleness is a gift, not a hindrance.
Do the next right thing.
No matter how hard we desire or strive, God is in control, not us. And so, the only thing for us to control is our thoughts and our emotions, and what we do right now. It will take focus and discipline. If the house is a mess, and it feels like there are a thousand things that need to be done immediately, it takes discipline to actually focus on the one thing that we ought to be doing right now.
Because we are human, and God does not ask us to do more than one thing at a time, it really is just one thing at a time. And so, as Elizabeth Elliot says, we must “do the next right thing”.
Be grateful instead of self-pitying.
When life is full, it can be easy to give in to feelings of overwhelm and self pity, but we can choose gratitude instead. Much of the work we must do everyday is a result of the most wonderful blessings of our lives. Marriage is a blessing, yet marriages require time and effort. Our children are truly wonderful gifts from God, yet they certainly make more work to do. I am blessed by my home, but it definitely takes more work to maintain than an apartment.
I am happy to live in the country rather than in town, but there is more work in maintaining a large property than a small yard. I could wish away the work, but that would also mean wishing away some of the most wonderful blessings of my life. The blessings as well as the work that comes with them are good, and so choose prayers of gratitude rather than feelings of self-pity and overwhelm. The work God gives us to do is in itself a wonderful blessing and can be a source of joy and satisfaction when we have the right attitude. Enjoy the work and do it to the best of your ability in the time you have.
Conclusion:
Today is to be lived, not gotten through, not survived. Think about something you are thankful for today, no matter how hard it has been. It is always possible to be thankful rather than complaining. On the hard days we can be tempted just to get through the day, and hope that tomorrow is better, but each day is valuable, and the hard days can help us to grow as a person.
As moms, we do a lot of giving and serving. Sometimes it can feel as if our cup is empty–as if we have nothing more to give. It is not we, ourselves, who are the source of our energy and capabilities. It is God. He will always give us the grace for each situation, no matter how overwhelmed or tired we feel. So, echo the words of the psalm in saying: “This is the day which the Lord hath made: let us be glad and rejoice therein”. (Psalm 118:24).
