A Content Mom

By Norma Miller

August 28, 2013

Over the Christmas season, we travelled as a family to visit some family and friends. Nobody told me how much work it is to travel with two little ones and three bigger ones in the wintertime, especially going from house to house visiting friends. It is exhausting! Come to think of it, many things about being a mom are exhausting, as you moms know well.

Being a mom means self-denial, putting someone's needs before your own, keeping on when you think you simply can't, doing things no one else wants to do, and seeing the things no one else sees. Being a mom means you are needed and touched, used and drawn from all day, every day. While it is very fulfilling, it can be exhausting. It is even more exhausting when we lose sight of what is important and no longer feel fulfilled.

God has been reminding me of something recently. It is found in Luke 12:31 which says, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you as well." It also mentions how God takes care of the birds and lilies, and not even a king is arrayed with such splendor. What are we worrying about? I tend to wear myself out trying to keep things neat and clean and doing other projects. But I forget the most important things. God has allowed me to feel frustrated, so I realize that when my spirit is fed in Him, and my children feel loved and appreciated, He will be able to bless me with these other things also. That is why He says, "Seek Me first."

When we seek our own things first, and try to put them before our children, husband, or God, we only end up spinning our wheels and becoming exhausted. I am not saying we will never be tired or busy or frustrated when we put God first, but we will eliminate much frustration from our lives and find more rest. Being a wife and mom is a very demanding, exhausting job, but if we can learn to "come apart and rest awhile," we will find more peace, joy, and fulfillment. God will give us wisdom for the different situations we face as we learn to give situations to Him as they come up, instead of wasting time and energy worrying and fretting. Most of all, we will find that rest in Him, the fulfillment that comes from being in His will, and seeing the fruits of our labors manifested by happy, satisfied children and a happy husband.