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I write Mommy Musings and also The King's Daughter for graceandhonor.com. I thought I would post my most recent Mommy Musings article here...
Have you ever found yourself worn out and tired? And like you have given so much to your family and the needs of those around you that if you gave anymore there would not be anything left? I think that this is a common sentiment of motherhood.
As I was reading through Mark recently, observing the way Christ ministered to his disciples and the multitudes, I saw some parallels to motherhood.
In chapter six, verse thirty-one, Jesus says to His disciples, “Come ye ourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.”
Do you ever feel like that, dear mother? Do you bounce between cleaning up the spilled Cheerios, changing the baby’s diaper, kissing the toddler’s boo-boo, refereeing the issue of the pre-schoolers, helping the child with a spelling assignment, as well as answering the ringing phone, responding to the neighbor’s knock at the door, trying to reply to a pressing email, and preparing dinner? Often, in the chaos of the day, it’s easy for Mommy to forget to eat lunch. Or maybe, she did not forget, she simply did not have a chance to sit down for more than 45 seconds!
Christ was in those same circumstances when He walked this earth. Often so busy meeting the needs of others that He was left without time to eat a meal. And although He was the Almighty God, He was still dwelling in a fleshly body and knew that He, and especially His men, needed some rest. Psalm 103 tells us that the Lord knows our frame and remembers that we are dust. So what did they do? They attempted to get away into the desert place to find some solitude from the pressing needs around them.
Mother, do you ever find yourself looking for a little escape from your children? Sometimes it’s just the click of the lock when you use the restroom so that for hopefully two minutes, you will be able to “enjoy” some alone time! But what happens when you quietly slip off to attempt to steal a moment or two of quietness? I think children have some type of inborn “Mommy radar” that enables them to know the second you steal away, right?! And there they are knocking on the bathroom door!
The same was true for Jesus. Verse thirty-three says, “And the people saw them departing, and many knew him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together unto him.” They couldn’t keep themselves away from Him, chasing Him down even as he was departing.
But how did Christ respond? Did He react with hot tears of frustration that we mommies find ourselves in when we just can’t seem to get a break? Did He huff and pout and demand some “me” time? No, it says, “He was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.” Jesus was keenly aware of the frailty of the people. He knew they were weak and needy and He chose to minister unto them rather than get some needed rest Himself.
Sometimes it’s hard for us mommies to remember that our children are just that… children. Weak, frail babies who have many needs. It’s so easy to be overwhelmed with meeting the demands of our young ones, and cares of husband and household, not to mention our own needs, that we lose our compassion for the precious ones that God has entrusted to us. But Christ had the proper focus. He set His own weariness aside to minister to those around Him. Oh may we mothers follow in His footsteps of self-denial and sacrifice!
As I was meditating on this passage from Mark, the Lord brought the words of this old hymn to mind. It reminds us that while we are giving of ourselves to care for others, that He gives and gives and gives some more. His mercy and grace are always available to us. He is always there to listen to our cries and respond to our needs. If we ask, He will give more strength and grace to enable us to rise to the extra challenges of the day. He is infinitely able to sustain us as mothers and carry us through the day as we labor for our little ones. All we have to do is ask and rely upon Him. Let’s remember Christ’s example, even in the weary moments, as we “build up” our families this week!
He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,
He sending more strength when the labors increase,
To added affliction He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.
His love has no limit, His grace has no measure,
His power has no boundary known unto men,
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus,
He giveth and giveth and giveth again.
When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half-done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources,
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.
Gracie thoroughly enjoying the clotted cream and lemon curd. It tastes a whole lot better than it sounds. :)
We fed some of these.
one! 
There she is way back there with one of her beloved "misters" not wanting to move along with the group.
