We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post.
Do you need adult interaction?
Listen to this scenario and see if it rings a bell…
Tuesday morning dawns bright and clear – a perfect playdate in the park for your kids! You’re so excited to get some adult interaction with your mommy group you can hardly stand it.
You haven’t had a coherent conversation in weeks. You need to talk – vent, even. You’ve got a hankerin’ for adult conversation that doesn’t have to do with 25 “why’s” and temper tantrums.
Girlfriend needs some hardcore chat time.
And here they come barraging you with complaints – just as you’ve settled in for your phone time or a coffee/play date. “He took my swing!”, a snotty nose needs to be wiped or “I just want you, mommy”!
ANYONE ELSE WANNA VOLUNTEER TO BE MOM TODAY BECAUSE of I’M DONE.
*This post may contain affiliate links. Should you choose to purchase certain advertised items, I will receive a small compensation at no extra cost to you, which will fund the coffee for the blogger. And the blogger must have coffee. You may view my policies here.
Why moms are under constant stress
But you are a mom.
And Jesus was Jesus.
The pressure was mounting for Jesus and He knew it was the beginning of the end.
(Ever feel like that, mom?)
He gave the disciples authority to cast out demons, cure diseases and sent them to preach the kingdom of God and heal the sick (Luke 9:2)
And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere. (vs 6)
Meanwhile, Herod zeroed in on Jesus.
“Who is this guy? He asked, perplexed. “I already chopped off John’s head, so it can’t be him…can it?!” (My paraphrase, vs 7-9)
Herod was sniffing out Christ.
Jesus was under pressure from all sides while also shepherding the disciples.
Motherhood isn’t your only job – am I right? You may work from home, you probably have bills to pay as well as responsibilities towards friends, church, and family members.
Why moms need adult interaction
Meanwhile, the disciples returned with glowing reports, and Jesus pulled them aside to a private retreat. They were ready for some chat time with their peers and encouragement from the Master.
They wanted some adult interaction that had nothing to do with needy people.
And here they came – the Jesus fans got wind of his whereabouts. They came running, limping, and carrying the handicapped.
He was the only one who could solve their problems. He was the Shepherd with unlimited compassion.
And He welcomed them and spoke to them of the kingdom of God and cured those who had need of healing. (11)
Huh…?
After a whole day of this “delay”, the disciples felt the same way we mamas do because they’d already had enough of needy people for a while.
“Now the day began to wear away, and the twelve came and said to him, “Send the crowd away to go into the surrounding villages and countryside to find lodging and get provisions, for we are here in a desolate place.”(12)
Aren’t you just SO done by bathtime/bedtime?!
Yeah. Me too. And I have adult kids.
(Young adults get wound up around 9:00 PM every night. It’s not always fun.)
Why moms think God asks too much
Do you know how Jesus responded to the disciple’s request to dis-ban the people?
YOU give them something to eat.
I’m SURE they looked at him as if He’d sprouted four heads.
And then they told him there was no way they could possibly do that.
“We have no more than five loaves and two fish—unless we are to go and buy food for all these peopl3. (13).
They shut Him down.
They were so over this day.
Feeding these needy, whiny “babies” was not an option. They could go home hungry.
They didn’t even care.
For there were about five thousand men. (14)
“Impossible. This simply can’t be done. He’s asked me to do something only Wonder Woman could do. I’m not a magician, for crying out loud.”
Oh yes, I’ve been there.
To the point where I totally did not give a rip if they were hungry, tired, thirsty, or had a fever by bedtime.
Secrest OUT.
Mom OUT.
Only you’re not out.
Because you’re a mom. So you do the thing, – but you do it grumpily.
And he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each. (14b)
What if you relied on the Savior’s unseen reservoir of strength?
All I need is adult interaction. A person with skin on. That’s all I need.
Wrong-O.
Do the next thing, mom. Just do the next thing in faith, believing Jesus will help you.
And they did so and had them all sit down. (15)
How moms can power through the exhaustion
Christ prayed and blessed the food, broke it up, and – didn’t give it to the people.
And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing over them. (16)
Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd.
He gave the resources to the disciples to give to the people.
Just like He’ll give you mama strength you never knew you had.
He’s not going to do it all for you. You are going to have to do the hard stuff.
Mothering is HARD. Mothering is CONSTANT. Truly, Mothering is THANKLESS.
Indeed, mothering is OBEDIENCE.
And they all ate and were satisfied. And what was left over was picked up, twelve baskets of broken pieces. (17)
How God makes it all possible without adult interaction
Jesus provided for the disciples to care for the people.
And then, He provided MORE.
You will come to the end of your rope at least once today, mama. That’s a vast understatement.
But here’s what it all boils down to – your calling.
Do you believe God put you where you are to be the mama of those children?
If yes, then He will enable you.
If no – then why? Do you think you’re randomly in a situation He doesn’t know about? Unlikely. After all – He’s God.
God of all the earth – remember?
God sees you.
He knows all about you. He called you. Indeed, He put you in the job of motherhood.
And now, He wants to use you – through HIS strength.
Accessible? Yes.
Impossible? No.
Hard? Yes
Impossible? No.
Dear mom, the next time you’re so tired you just can’t even, remember Who called you. Do the next thing. Draw on His strength – don’t do it alone. Below is one suggestion for how:
The Yell-Free Blueprint
The Yell-Free Blueprint is a 5-day FREE plan to help you learn the first steps to becoming the yell-free mother you’ve always wanted!
Yell-Free Blueprint: Building motherhood with life-giving words.
Get The Yell-Free Blueprint
Day 1
Learn the first step to becoming yell-free
Day 2
Discover 3 signs God is working to make you yell-free
Day 3
The secret prayer formula that ensures victory
Day 4
How to keep your cool and effectively discipline
Day 5
The essential “Doubt Eradicator” to make you yell-free
Dear mom, don’t mess around with guilt any longer. Get started building your kid’s lives on grace-filled words.
Leave a Reply