A Prayer for the Weary Mom This Mother’s Day
By Alicia Searl
Bible Reading:
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” - Galatians 6:9
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This past weekend, we celebrated my daughter’s sixteenth birthday by heading to the beach with eight of her friends and enjoying a picturesque waterside picnic. As lovely as that sounds, and it was, it also came with a healthy dose of drama, stress, and a bittersweet reminder that my mom was missing out on yet another monumental event.
Unfortunately, my mom’s heavenly birthday collides with my middle daughter’s earthly birthday, making it a rather emotional day. Yet, over the past three years, while it has gotten a little easier with time and this day has morphed into something new, it still has a way of stirring up suppressed feelings, generally leading to thoughts that declare, "This doesn’t seem fair!”
Mother’s Day is no different…the wealth of emotions lingers, making springtime difficult to navigate, especially with sensitivity and grace. Even still, I often wonder what my mom would tell me if she were here today. Oh, how could I use her wisdom and solid advice right about now? The teen years are rough and have practically torn my heart in ways I never knew were possible. Many days, I feel like I am drifting along, barely hanging on, or failing altogether. It’s overwhelming to say the least, and I am just plain tired!
Then I am reminded of a verse my momma had hanging in her closet, “Let us not grow weary of doing good, for the proper time will reap a harvest if we do not give up!” In Galatians 6:9, Paul speaks to the church of Galatia and reminds them that doing good work isn’t easy but hard! Not only that, but when believers stray from their firm foundation and begin to question if what they are doing matters, they fail to understand the depths of God’s sacrificial love and the promise that guarantees them a place in eternity!
Sadly, as moms, we can fall into the trap of believing that if motherhood isn’t easy or instantly rewarding, we must be doing something wrong. This can be even more painful (or frustrating) if we strive to walk by faith and do our best to live by the fruits of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), only to feel like we are failing in a role we deeply long to be good at!
This is precisely where the enemy strikes as we begin to question our work, our worth, and our identity as moms. If this pattern continues, we grow weary, faint, and sometimes long to give up. But the truth is that when we fall for this misconception, we are merely relying on our own abilities, efforts, and emotions, and bending to lies, rather than placing our trust in our Father (Proverbs 3:5).
I don’t have to tell you that motherhood is hard work and very humbling! The time, energy, and efforts, not to mention the endless sacrifices that often go unnoticed and come with a hefty set of emotional baggage, can feel discouraging. But God doesn’t want our past to haunt us or our current situations to steal our joy. He wants us to set our eyes on the future that expands far beyond this life.
Sweet momma friend, I don’t know where you are on this motherhood journey. I have no idea how many little darlings you are trying to lead to Christ, the struggles you face, the support (or lack thereof) you receive. I don’t know if you have a momma who speaks into your life or is currently absent. I have no idea of the heaviness your heart holds, the burdens you carry, nor the emotions you toil with, but I do know this - you have a Father who sees the work you are weaving into your ministry as a mom. Day after day, He sees the sacrifices you make, the battles you face, the hard truths you wrestle with, and He invites you to lay it all at His feet and find peace, comfort, and rest.
This Mother’s Day, be gentle, kind, and patient with yourself. Speak truth and love over your weary heart and allow yourself to take a much-needed, well-deserved break from your motherhood duties by leaning into a God that provides healing rest. Then take a deep breath, relax, and enjoy that precious Father-daughter time.
Let’s Pray:
Father, You are so very good to us. We cannot even begin to fathom the wonders of Your love and how You meet us right where we are, showering us in Your perfect peace, calming comfort, and restorative rest. When we grow weary, we ask that You draw close and grant us the strength to continue doing good work through Your amazing power. This Mother’s Day, speak to the heart of your precious daughter who needs a sweet reminder that she is seen, valued, and deeply loved. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/PeopleImages
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