Dear Weary Mom,

First, let me comfort you in sharing that you are not alone. I have been where you are so many, many times as have countless others before you. Just writing this brings back a flood of memories of those LONG days feeling deeply fatigued, weary, worn, joyless, and just plain lacking motivation. There were moments where life seemed to have lost any luster as I went numbly through the motions of cooking, caring, cleaning repeat….cooking, caring, cleaning repeat….ad infinitum!

Does that sound familiar?

Let me encourage you with this profound yet simple reality: God is watching. Yes, dear one, His eye is on you! He sees every diaper you change, every mouth you feed, every dish you wash, every mess you clean. His word promises he is a rewarder of the faithful!

Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.
Colossians 3:23-24

Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.
Galatians 6:9

His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’
Matt 25:21

I vividly remember a particularly challenging day when I was going through the motions, feeling burned out and so weary. In the midst of my grumbling I sensed that still, small voice whispering to my heart, “I am watching you. Can you do this as a form of worship to me?”

Tears welled in my eyes and I responded, “Yes, Lord!” My grumbling faded and a renewed joy flooded my soul. While my reality didn’t look any different, my perspective and motivation was suddenly transformed. The thought of doing my daily routine as a form of worship to the Lord renewed my strength, refreshed my purpose and gave me a much greater eternal perspective on my earthly job.

I would like to encourage you to consider owning this eternal perspective and to let it be your fuel to daily and faithfully serve your family.

Additionally, there are a number of simple ways to renew your heart during seasons of weariness.

Below are 9 "cup fillers" that have been life-giving to me over the years.

1. Spend time in the word, daily - even if it’s only for a few minutes. I’ve been amazed how God has multiplied my time with him and renewed my strength through his word over and over again.

2. Read biblical resources to encourage and inspire you as a wife and mother.

3. Enjoy a creative outlet. You were made in God’s image therefore you were made to create. Keep it simple: plant a small garden, try a new recipe, decorate a room in your home, plan a simple gathering of friends, learn to play a new piece of music. Make sure it’s a project/pursuit that can be started and finished quickly and easily without sacrificing your family in the process.

4. Find opportunities for fellowship with other godly women. Isolation breeds greater weariness, hopelessness, and depression.

5. Go outdoors! A few minutes of fresh air and a change of surroundings can help to quickly lift your spirits.

6. Take care of your temple. As busy moms we often put our physical needs on the back burner so long that we can find ourselves in a health crisis and not even know what hit us.
• get rest
• nourish your body well. (Sleep deprivation and poor nutrition can contribute to health problems and depression)
• incorporate exercise as part of your daily routine
• don't delay in seeking medical help when needed

7. Fill your home with music. I often found that beautiful background music tended to lift my spirits as well as calm my children's hearts during times of chaos and weariness.

8. Practice, cultivate, and pray for joy, gratitude, and contentment. These are some of the most important ingredients to keep you strengthened as you faithfully mother well.

• Joy: Col 1:1-10, Psalm 28:7, Nehemiah 8:10, Psalm 16:11, Psalm 30:5, Psalm 35:9, Psalm 51:12, Psalm 63:5, John 15:11, Acts 2:28, Romans 15:13, Galatians 3:22-23
• Gratitude: Psalm 106:1, Ps 100:4, Ps 69:30, Ps 75:1, Ps 95:2, Ps 100:4, Ps 107:1, Ps 136:1, Phil 4:6-7, Col. 2:6-7, Col 3:15, Rev 7:12
• Contentment: Ex 20:17, Ps 119:35-37, Pr 28:16, Luke 12:15, Eph 5:2-3, Phil 4:10-12, Col 3:5, Heb 13:5, Tim 6:8

9. Make Isaiah 40:28-31 the prayer of your heart. This scripture was my life-line that always refreshed my soul during seasons of weariness.

Have you not known?
Have you not heard?
The everlasting God, the Lord,
The Creator of the ends of the earth,
Neither faints nor is weary.
His understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the weak,
And to those who have no might He increases strength.
Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
And the young men shall utterly fall,
But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint. Is 40:28-31

Dear one, may you "mount up with wings like eagles" as your serve your family as unto the Lord!

Tags: contentment, encouragement, exhaustion, joyfulness, loneliness, motivation, significance, wives and moms