A Mother’s Sabbath Rest
18 Jan 2012 Leave a Comment
in Motherhood
Psalm 62:1
“My soul finds rest in God alone…”
It was an ordinary Sunday- breakfast, showers, and a lot of rushing around to get out of the door before 9:30 a.m. Kara was playing well and was eager to get her shoes on (she loves shoes, like her mama). We headed to church and made it there in time for worship.
Now on this particular Sunday I was looking forward to catching up on some much needed rest being that we had only been home a week since Analise was in the hospital, and Kara was up a lot at night the following week due to an ear infection. Once we got home from church I put Kara down for her usual nap anticipating about at least 1 1/2-2 hours of quiet rest. Travis was out at a ministry project in the city, and Analise was sleeping soundly, so I took advantage of some “me” time. I heated up some leftovers, ate lunch, and was enjoying the sleepy effects of a full tummy. I then proceeded to the couch when all of a sudden I hear the sounding alarm of Kara waking from her “20-minute” nap. Frustrated, I walked into her room and tried to calmly rock her back to sleep. She would have none of it. Nap time was over.
I am quickly realizing that the days of anticipated rest have taken a sabbatical until we get out of the baby/toddler/preschool years. Children aren’t pre-programmed to our preferred schedules. Kids get sick, they go through growth spurts, they throw tantrums, they act like, well, kids. As much as Kara loves her routine and quickly reminds me if we get out of our routine a bit, even Kara can’t control a night terror or hunger pangs (she has a growth spurt every week I’m sure, and her little sister is appropriately following suit). So, what’s a mother to do?
My college years were a period in my life when God drew me closer to Him. I treasure those years. My mornings offered me ample time to grab a cup of coffee, read my Bible, and even journal. It was a sweet time of fellowship with my Lord. Even following college and seminary, as a music teacher I found time to really dwell in His presence at the same time every day (mornings preferred). I would come home from work, turn on the news, take a catnap before dinner, and then end my day with some reading before bed. That was then. I am a mom now, and my life has different demands than it did when I was a single and had nothing but “me” time. So, does this mean that my spiritual life, fellowship with other believers, or rest takes a hiatus now that I am a mom? Well, I don’t think so. I think it’s not that those things are eliminated in my life, but that they are altered in some ways. Here’s what I mean:
Now that my “me” time has turned into “we” time, I am finding that I have to be creative in how I make time for quiet throughout the week as well as to celebrate the Sabbath.
*Carve out time with God- If I get 5 minutes in the Word followed by a diaper change, 5 more minutes in the Word followed by prayer, then it’s a good morning for me. I can take some more time during Kara’s nap or at the end of the day for fellowship with the Lord. Eventually, when Analise sleeps through the night, I intend to get up before everybody else and have a more productive time with the Lord, but for now I’m making it count when I can.
*Pray through your day- This is my life raft in my day. When I am at my wit’s end or when I simply need to praise Him, I pray in my spirit knowing that the Lord hears me. It’s comforting to know that I am not alone and that the Lord understands exactly where I am and what I am dealing with day to day. “…He gently leads those that are with young” Isaiah 40:11.
*Fellowship with other Christians- Unless I am prevented from weekly worship with my church family I make Sundays a priority for corporate worship. Not only is it important for my own soul and Christian maturity, but it is also good for my children to see Sundays set a part in the week for worship and rest.
*Sleep when possible- As I am writing this blog post I should be following this bit of advice myself being that both girls are asleep. I need to work on this one for sure. I usually use my girls’ nap times as my time to clean the bathrooms, mop the floors, or anything else that would be difficult with a curious and wild toddler. Travis gets on me for this, and I need to listen to him more regarding “sleep when they sleep.”
*Get out of the house- Travis is good about watching the girls so that I can get out of the house and go to the salon, mall, or run some errands. This keeps me from going bananas. I treasure him for this, because more often than not there is usually a poor napper, ginormous spit-up, or a blow out diaper that he has to attend to while I’m out and about. If you’re reading this Trav, thanks. 
*Lastly, for now (I’m a new student in the school of motherhood) find a hobby or activity for personal enrichment that you enjoy- Reading is one of my favorite detox activities. I like to read before bed when it’s usually quiet. Another activity I enjoy is writing. When I make time to journal, blog, or work on a song, I find that I keep my mind sharp and creative (I mean, Goodnight Moon and “Skinnamarink” are all well and good, but even this mama needs a little bit more variety in her life). Playing or listening to music also recharges me and either calms or energizes my spirit.
Susanna Wesley, mother of John and Charles Wesley, once wrote concerning the Sabbath, ” ‘Tis sufficient, ’tis all I ask, and whatever others may think or do, I account this the most blest and happy day of the week. And with all my heart and soul and mind and strength I adore and praise Thee, O eternal and ever-blessed God for giving me a dispensation from all worldly business for this day, and, since the weakness and corruption of human nature requires it, for commanding us to keep holy the sabbath day.”
So, mothers, be encouraged and find rest. Find rest in God and receive His grace. Too many of us are too hard on ourselves, and we need to be reminded of His strength that is made perfect in weakness. I know I need it- His strength and grace. And a nap too.
