As a mom, I often wonder how other moms do it. It’s a fragile balance to be a mother, wife, daughter, sister, and friend. As a self-professed overachiever, I take that already extensive list and make it even longer and harder to accomplish.
So why do some moms feel crazy?
Let me explain. We try to do it all and that’s impossible. It often leads to funny moments of forgetfulness like these:
- I once went looking for my phone, feverishly toppling over bags, rummaging through drawers and my daughter’s toy boxes for 10 minutes, only to realize I had been on the phone, complaining I couldn’t find it, the whole time! [Imagine what my sweet friend must have thought about me!]
- A dear mama-friend told me that life was so crazy for her, she recently found lettuce in her freezer and the remote control in the pantry.
- I have been guilty a time or two of letting loads of laundry sit in the dryer, only to finally remove it when someone complained about not having socks or underwear.
- And what about proudly having dinner ready on time, then sadly watchingit burn as you clean up your potty training toddler’s poop?
You get the picture. We can’t do it all — not alone, anyway. And we feel crazy when we try. Yes moms, we are crazy. Crazy to think we can fulfill roles that a culture has created. Foolish to try and live up to lofty expectations, most of which we have seen while scouring Pinterest for a new craft or scrolling down our mid-day Facebook fix.
No matter what season you are in, if you feel like you have lost your mind or can’t measure up, Jesus knows.
Here’s what makes me crazy [and I bet it does for you too] — When I operate in my own abilities rather than relying on Christ’s capabilities. Maybe crazy for you, means tired. As in, YOU NEED REST. And in that context, then, yes all moms actually feel crazy. Jesus wants to quiet the crazy restlessness in our hearts. So what does he say about it?
In Matthew 11, something pretty incredible takes place. Jesus both sets himself apart from the pack and gave everyone a pass on trying to achieve perfection, something that ONLY He could do. Sounds like nothing that mamas struggle with, right?
Here is Jesus, after finishing instructions to his disciples, he began a series of teaching in each of their hometowns. He has seen the unrepentant hearts, the brokenness, the futility of the people for which He so desperately longs to save. He has seen their toil and the daily shackles they have placed on themselves as a result of following false teachings that preach on rule-keeping.
He says, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”—Matthew 11:28-29
There is tenderness and majesty in those words. He declares HE is capable of more than anything. He has clear-sighted compassion for the heavy, burdened, weight on every soul—Both yours and mine. Christ the Consoler says, You don’t have to be what the world says you should be. Only, come to me and I will make you who you will be.
Being a mama can make us feel crazy, but it doesn’t have to. Silencing the crazy starts by surrendering expectations that cloud the truth. Today, may this truth echo: Come to me and I’ll give you rest. My yoke is easy and my burden is light.
Think about it: What crazy expectations, not reflective of God, have you placed in your life? What can you ask Jesus to take over or altogether remove from your plate?
Pray: God, our great comforter—Today I surrender those areas in my life of lofty expectations. Thank you for your grace and mercy in revealing to me the areas that aren’t reflective of you. Will you guide me to rest in you? In your name I pray, Amen.
- Emily Ondish