Motherhood can make a woman more worn and weary than anything else on the planet. This week, both my kids have been quite ill (my daughter barely escaped a trip to the hospital due to dehydration from a stomach bug), so I've been working extra hard, while getting inadequate rest.

But rather than push myself, I've found that during tiring times like these, I need to be as kind to myself as possible. That means I might sacrifice a little time alone with my husband to go soak in the tub and read a novel. (He doesn't mind because I'm much more pleasant to be around afterward.) I also drop everything that's unncessary.



That last part isn't easy to do. I try to keep my life as pared down as possible, so when I'm feeling weary, what exactly can I cut? Often, it's mopping the floor. Or picking up toys. Or taking on cleaning chores I'd like to do (like scrub down the kitchen table where my toddler has splattered a gazillion foods), but that don't really need to be done right now.

But the most important thing I do during weary times is seek out God more persistently. When I want to snap at the children because they are fussy and I'm exhausted, I pray first. (This actually has the bonus side effect of allowing my kids to see me pray "in action," while opening their eyes to the fact that Mommy has needs, too.) Even though tiring times usually equal less time to read, I work harder to find time to read the Bible, also - even if it means reading only a single verse at a time. And, whenever possible, I pray with someone else, because Jesus says:

"... if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."
Matthew 18:19-20

God knows how hard motherhood is. He knows exactly how weary you feel. But if we remember to seek him out every day - even when we are at our worst - he will reward us. He will help us. He will give us peace despite the storm.