Real Rest for Weary Moms

Have you ever watched a movie, seen a comfy-looking bed, and thought, “Man! I could take an A+, 10/10 nap right there?” I have a personal list of the Top 10 Most Nappable Beds of Cinema: Maria von Trapp’s bed with its fluffy comforter and Frodo’s Rivendell bed are among the contenders. This bed obsession started about seven years ago . . . when my first son was born. And I don’t think that’s a coincidence. 

Motherhood is exhausting. During the first years of our oldest son’s life, I remember thinking about how “mom tired” is a different kind of tired. I’d experienced exhaustion before, but this was new. This exhaustion went deeper.

Why does motherhood fatigue feel so much heavier? Of course, there’s the physical tiredness that comes with nighttime feedings, but there’s also the weight of constantly caring for another human life. A small, humble, completely dependent human life. Where do our little ones find their sustenance? Us. Who keeps them clean? Us. Who is responsible for their education? Us. Who keeps them safe? Us. And the list could go on. 

Then there’s the weight of decision-making and planning. Will they love the Lord? How can we point them to Christ? Where will they go to school? How can we help them as they learn? What if they get behind? These thoughts don’t even include the added burden of guilt for our inevitable mistakes. I can’t tell you how many times I ask myself the question: Did I just scar my kid for life? 

The demands are enough to drive any mama to her bed. But while sleep is good and necessary, we will continue to be tired unless we find rest for our souls. The energy required for gospel-centered motherhood is physical and spiritual. 

I remember connecting with Psalm 103:1-5 as a new mom because of the exhaustion I was feeling: 

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,
Who forgives all your iniquity, 
Who heals all your diseases,
Who redeems your life from the pit,
Who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
Who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Yes, please! I’ll have one order of renewed eagle’s youth, thank you. I frequently prayed that the Lord would give me this refreshed energy. After much frustration, I realized that God wasn’t commanding me to ask for a gift and run with it. Rather, renewed strength—the kind of deep, sacrificial, steadfast strength we need as mothers—is inherently connected to God himself. It is only found in him.

The pronoun “who” precedes the promise of renewed youth five times, connecting it to the person who brings it about. We can look back to the first verse to see that these “who” clauses are describing God—how he benefits those who follow him. It is these God-given benefits that renew us like the eagle.

What are these benefits, according to Psalm 103?

God “forgives all your iniquity.”

The guilt of sin is always heavy, but when you have a family that is directly affected by it, it can truly be crippling. But when we turn to Christ for forgiveness, he declares that “there is therefore now no condemnation” (Romans 8:1) for us. We can trust that, although we stumble often in motherhood, his love covers a multitude of sins[1] and he does mighty works through broken vessels such as ourselves.[2]

God “heals all your diseases.”

We find hope in the promise that all physical maladies will be healed in this life or in eternity. Some of us deal with difficult illnesses and disabilities in our families. God promises healing for those who are found in Christ. It may not be on our timetable, but it will happen. Even the “small” physical flaws that tire us—our aching backs, stiff muscles, and sagging skin—all of it will one day be made new when we are glorified. 

God “redeems your life from the pit.”

We have been redeemed, claimed as God’s own and fitted for glorious purposes. We were once slaves to our sin, unable to love or to be loved.[3] But through Jesus’s work, God has bought us back. For what? Keep reading.

God “crowns you with steadfast love and mercy.” 

We are members of a royal priesthood, ambassadors of the true King who bestows his steadfast love and mercy on us, giving us more than enough for ourselves so that we can share with those around us. I don’t know about you, but when I’m tired, love and mercy are some of the first things to go. But in Christ, these resources are steadfast, coming from a source that never runs dry.

God “satisfies you with good.”

When I am not abiding in Christ, I quickly become dissatisfied with motherhood. This role demands so much, earning little to no worldly attention and sometimes little to no thanks. It doesn’t come with a salary. It is humble and lowly. I wonder if it’s worth it. I wonder if I’m seen. I wonder if anyone cares. I wonder if I should change course—pursuing the money, fame, and acclaim the world tells me is most important. But oh, how God satisfies this wandering and weary heart when I turn to him.

“The Scriptures are shallow enough for a babe to come and drink without fear of drowning and deep enough for a theologian to swim in without ever touching the bottom.”[4] As tired mothers who stumble back to the refreshing waters of the gospel day after day, desperate for a love greater than ourselves, we find that it never gets old. We can never reach the bottom of God’s goodness to us through Christ Jesus. The Lord is faithful to sustain us through every weary season. 

[1] 1 Peter 4:8

[2] 2 Corinthians 4:7

[3] Titus 3:3

[4] St. Jerome