You were created to flourish, mama. Does that feel impossible in the seemingly endless litany of dishes, laundry, and meal preparation? Do the long, good-hard days of mothering littles have you feeling too exhausted to grow, let alone, flourish?
I’ve been there! In fact, we have been in a long, hard season in a particular circumstance that has often left me discouraged and feeling like I am merely surviving, much less, flourishing. The Lord has been reminding me and teaching me recently that flourishing is not the result of an easy life, health, obedient children, or anything else. It is a result of abiding in Christ, drinking deeply from the Word, and looking to Jesus for satisfaction and fulfillment. It is a change in perspective also: this difficult circumstance we are in is hard, but we are growing and learning together and THAT is a good thing.
From experience, I know that when I am flourishing, my husband and daughter also flourish. We are the thermostats of our homes, mamas. So how do we flourish when we are weary?
- Abide in Christ. You cannot minimize time in the Word and expect to flourish in your soul. It is vital. Listen to an audio Bible if you are not able to sit and read, but make it a priority, whatever that looks like for you! I love the Bible.is app for listening to Scripture!
- Incorporate things that fill your cup, and bring you joy on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. It doesn’t have to be big, time consuming things. An evening walk with my family or reading books outside with my toddler on a beautiful day fills my cup and refreshes me.
- Make a habit of a regular, larger chunk of time to rest for yourself and for your family. For us, this looks like very few chores or dishes on Sundays. We get home from church and take naps, read together, play together, take long walks together, or just talk. It is my favorite day of the week because we truly just rest and enjoy being together. It is such a life-giving rhythm for us.
If you’re interested in more on the topic of flourishing, check out this recent podcast series by one of my favorite Bible teachers. It will encourage your heart!
“The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God.”
Psalm 92:12-13
