Hey Mama, I heard you are drowning. You thought you were going to wake up and start a fresh new day, lots would get done, and you’d go to bed tonight content that so much was actually accomplished. It’s not looking that way, though, and the day is already under way and moving too fast.
Your first inclination is to go back to bed (or hide underneath it). I just wanted to drop in and encourage you. Don’t hide; don’t run away. God has your day ordained. He literally orders our day. And He’s not surprised by this one.
His Word tells us to wait on Him, to take courage, to be joyful. I find that when I start to get overwhelmed, God’s Word is the place I need to be. He speaks to us through His Word, the Bible. Have a look:
Psalm 31:24 – “Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.”
Isaiah 35:4 – “Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.”
Philippians 4:6 – “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”
Psalm 94:19 – “In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.”
Isaiah 41:10 – “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”
Mama, get into the Word today if you can. Make the time. Read all the above passages in context and get to know the heart of your great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is with you! He will never leave you.
Don’t beat yourself up for the slow start today. Look, you have a bunch of kids, and you live in a shoe. Do you think you’re supposed to be superwoman or something? Come on. Know that it (whatever it may be) will likely not be predictable. Understand that your daily plans will blow up at least once a week (if not once a day).
Give yourself a break; God smiles on you, so smile back. Say under your breath or in your heart what our beloved Senior Editor of The Old Schoolhouse®Magazine, Deborah Wuehler, taught me to say during these times:
“LORD, I don’t know what to do, but my eyes are on You.”
Accept (and rejoice in the fact!) that you are a child of God, walking this walk, obeying Him, doing your best. In the words of Keith Green, “He’ll take care of the rest!” Embrace the madness, Mama. It’s your crazy, mad, tearful, trial-filled, insane, overfilled, joyful life.
Love it. He gave it to you.
Now get out from under the bed and go find your kids. Hug them and move on with the day. Because His hand is on your head.
Copyright 2017, The Old Schoolhouse®. Used with permission. All rights reserved by the Author. Originally appeared in the Summer 2017 issue of The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, the trade publication for homeschool moms.
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