Finding rest in the midst of overwhelmed this Mother’s Day
May 06, 2021 by Andi Fancher
We’re throwing a Mother’s Day Garden Party
Sunday, May 9 | 9:30–12:30 am | The Garden + Mockingbird Lawn
Take a moment to honor the one who gave you life at our Mother’s Day Garden Party. In addition to celebrating these special women, we’ll have yummy eats and drinks, a station for writing thank you letters, a fun photo booth opportunity, and a special gift for moms. Take time to connect with friends and family as you share your favorite mom memories and make some new ones. We hope to see you there. No registration required!
As I reflect on this past year and all the many ways that moms have poured themselves out for their families, pivoting in ways we could have never imagined, I wonder how many of us are hitting a wall? If you can identify with needing a little self-care this year, I see you.
You made it. We made it. We made it to May (or as I often refer to it...May-hem). We are steadily crawling toward the finish line of this unprecedented school year and starting to peek over the edge of what we pray is a return to normalcy.
To all the moms who feel like they have been keeping all the plates spinning (and maybe dropping a few) for the last 14 months, can we all just take a collective deep breath and put those plates down for a minute?
You have done hard things this year. You have likely done all the things this year. Despite all the moments of fear, anxiety, and uncertainty that have loomed over us recently as parents, you press on.
It’s okay if you’re exhausted. You can only do all the things for so long. A dear friend and mentor once told me, “You can do anything . . but you cannot do everything.” This wise advice has been a constant reminder to be kind to myself when I’m feeling up against my limits—and haven’t we all felt up against our limits this year?
Susanna Wesley, the mother of the founder of the Methodist movement, John Wesley, is held up as this superhuman woman who raised her 10 children in the faith, abiding by stringent standards of order, education, and discipline. She sounds like Mary Poppins, who could do all the things—all at once. She must have done something right to have raised up children that would go on to do incredible kingdom work.
But something tells me it wasn’t all roses all the time for Susanna, either. She had many plates to keep spinning as well. How did she handle all of the responsibilities? Did she ever sleep? What kind of fortitude did she have that I often struggle to muster?
It turns out, her answer to the chaos was deeply rooted in her relationship with God. Susanna Wesley prioritized prayer for two hours a day in the midst of raising and educating 10 children and maintaining an orderly home. That sounds impossible by 2021 standards, doesn’t it? I struggle to find 20 minutes, much less two hours.
She was so committed to her time in prayer that she infamously would pull her apron over her head when she was spending time with the Lord. Finding time alone in solitude to be in prayer and connection with God was difficult to come by, so she instructed her children not to bother her when the apron was up over her head!
Part of me would love to know how that worked, really. In my attempt to be alone when the kids were little, I inevitably found little hands making their way under the bathroom door with calls for, “Mommy! Mommy! Mommy! Are you in there?”
This Mother’s Day, if you’re in need of an apron to throw over your head or some time to re-center after this turbulent year...take it. You’re not superhuman, nor does anyone expect you to be. Let the Lord carry you close to His heart in these moments, as it’s written in Isaiah 40:11:
He tends his flock like a shepherd:
He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart;
he gently leads those that have young.
Parenthood is one of the hardest things you and I will ever do. If we earnestly seek God in prayer, He will sustain us through these seasons to not only survive but to thrive. And one day, in God’s perfect timing, you will begin to see the fruit of your faithful and steadfast labor.
YOU are doing kingdom work, mama. Put your feet up, pat yourself on the back, and enjoy this Mother’s Day.
If you’re looking to find community and support on your journey of motherhood, there are plenty of options at HPUMC:
Join our Bible study for moms as we dig into the Gospel of Matthew together on Monday mornings.
Are you a first-time mom? Come connect with other new moms and meet the new babies, discuss topics pertaining to your new role, and find support at our first-time moms group on Tuesday, May 11 from 5:30 to 6:30 pm in the Bush Family Confirmation Center.
Connect with others in a Small Group! These groups typically meet on a weekly basis for fellowship, study, prayer, and reflection. For more information, please contact Amy Berry, GroupLife Lead (berrya@hpumc.org), or Amy Gutmann, Groups Coordinator (gutmanna@hpumc.org).