The Better Thing

I understand the monotony and busyness of motherhood.

In February our family will have six children under the age 10; balancing the needs of eight people is a daily challenge. I am a limited and finite being. My body requires regular meals and rest. There’s always so much to do. My husband reminded me recently that there will always be, “one more thing.” What’s a girl to do? Is it possible that a remedy to my excessive fatigue and frustration boils down to one question. What is the better thing?

Prioritization.

God has been teaching me what abiding looks like in daily life. I’m more productive and healthier when I take time to rest instead of steam rolling through my to-do list.I believe rest creates space for mental clarity and helps me to prioritize. More efficient, less tired. Hence, I am available to BETTER love and serve those around me…like my husband! On Monday’s I catch up on weekend laundry, get groceries, and run errands. My husband serves as a Sunday school teacher at our local church. Before the clock struck 9:00 am he asked for my help in creating a document for the ministry. The story of Mary and Martha found in Chapter 10 of the Gospel of Luke came to mind. I knew it was God’s way of telling me that assisting him in this way was the better thing.

Sovereignty & Trusting God. 

In 2020 I journeyed through six months of counseling. I was given an “Attributes of God” chart that I have posted on my refrigerator. God is sovereign. He controls all things; nothing happens unless He allows or ordains it. He upholds all things by His power (Ecclesiastes 7:13-14). One day my husband challenged me in the area of prioritization. I was venting to him about “all of the things” I felt had to be done. He’s a great listener and allowed for catharsis before gently asking a couple of questions. Are the children’s needs being met? Do we have dinner? These questions became a filter for how I functioned throughout the day. Priorities. 

What if it’s not God’s will for me to accomplish as much as possible? I believe trusting God involves physically slowing down and resting in His sovereign care. Psalm 131:2 paints a beautiful picture of a child resting with his mother. God desires to give us rest. We can trust Him with our “to-do’s” because it’s not all up to us. 

Meditation

Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul; Like a weaned child [resting] with his mother, My soul is like a weaned child within me [composed and freed from discontent]. -Psalm 131:2 (AMP)

Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness. “So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. -2 Corinthians 12:9 (NLT)