Dear Weary Mom,

Yesterday I was talking on the phone to a friend, and I found myself talking louder and louder and louder. I realized that my three-year-old was in major melt-down mode, and since my husband was dealing with her, my mind automatically blocked her out. But my voice didn’t. My voice rose in the clamor.

If you’re a weary mom like me, you get accustomed to the noise, to the cries, to the busyness of everyday life. It almost becomes normal to wake up on the run and to keep going until those sweet little dears drift off to dreamland. Raising our voice becomes normal. This doesn’t mean raising it in anger (or at least it doesn’t mostly mean that) but just raising it to make sure we’re heard.

Harder, though, is becoming quiet. I don’t know about you, but before my three little ones are awake—or during nap time—is truly the only time quiet can be found. But today I found it. I made sure I sat and opened up God’s Word, and I was reminded of a few things. They are things I needed to hear, but also things I would have missed out on if I hadn’t forced myself to be still.

“And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:20).

And to quote Henry Blackaby in my morning reading:

“A lost world depends on the vital relationship of the people of God with their God. To lose this closeness with God is to lose our significance in our world.”

I hope you don’t mind, Henry, but I’m going to “Mommy-phrase” this quote: “Our kids, who greatly need Jesus in their lives, depend on the vital relationship of their Mommy—a daughter of God—with her God. For Mommy to lose this closeness with God is for her to lose her significance in her home.”

Yes, I’m significant as I wipe noses, rears, and countertops (not with the same wipe). I’m significant when I kiss away boo-boos, worries, and fears, but my greatest significance comes when I point my kids to Jesus. When I model for them what a real, active, thriving, loving, faith-filled relationship with Jesus is all about.

Weary Mom? Turn to Jesus. Fight for quiet time, and remember that “lo, He is with you always.” Jesus is there in the clamor, and He doesn’t mind if you have to raise your voice a little to talk to Him. But He always wants to talk to you, too. Just make sure you get to a place where your mind is stilled and quiet enough to listen.

Tricia Goyer @ www.triciagoyer.com

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