Rest

    

    Overwhelm. I am sure every momma knows this feeling. Little ones constantly needing you, touching you, and talking at you can be sensory overload all on its own. On top of that, there's work to be done, dinner to be made, loved ones to check on, and certain standards that we set for ourselves to upkeep. It's just too much. 

    In my small group, we're going through the book Get Out of Your Head by Jennie Allen. This study focuses in Philippians and how our thoughts affect, well... everything. One of the exercises is to recognize your primary emotions that drive your thoughts. I have to say, mine is overwhelm and it's fed by self-doubt. So often I doubt my capabilities in motherhood. I've read so many parenting books, why can't I handle toddlers and a household without losing my mind by the end of the day? Some days I loose my mind by breakfast! Haha.

    While working on the first weeks "homework" for the Bible study, I felt God saying to me 'Jessie, the answer to overwhelm is surrender'. Umm.. ok God, not sure what that means because I can't just not do the dishes and stuff. I'm going to need more direction than just 'surrender'. 

    The next lessen with the group, Jennie talked about humility. She said. "Joy comes when we lay aside our power and humble ourselves before God." Surrender. I CAN'T do it all. I can do a lot, but I cannot do it all and still be a mentally healthy human. I need Gods help. There is no doubt about that! 

Mark 1:35

Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He (Jesus) went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.

    We need God's strength. Even Jesus who WAS God, needed the heavenly Father because of the stresses of this fallen world. He went out alone to be with God. We need that too. But what does that look like when you have little ones at home? It's not like we can leave three year old's at home alone while seeking solitude on a mountain somewhere. For me, someone who is not a morning person... my boys watch cartoons while I sit with my coffee, read the Word and pray. During this time I surrender my pride, my feelings, how I think the day should go and give it all to God. Phew, what a weight is lifted when God holds the day!  

    Ruth Chou Simons in the book Beholding and Becoming says this: 'Rest is where we remember that God holds all things together without our help.' We think we're holding our lives together, but we really don't. It's hard to give up control, but when you do... there is the truest rest you will ever find.