There are different ways that you can be resting as a homeschool mom. But are you really resting? Here is what I discovered is true rest.
I find myself exhausted – mentally and physically. Maybe it has something to do with being 7 months along with our 4th child. Maybe it is the extra full school schedule that we have this year. Maybe it is just because we enjoyed a nice, relaxing summer with little on the calendar and now I’m finding it hard to get back into the routine. But each afternoon as I’m packing away the evidence of the day’s learning, I wonder how I’ll find the energy to make it through dinner and I find myself counting the minutes until bedtime. Then I think about my husband. He’ll be home in a couple hours. What is it like for him to come home to a wife who is always tired.
Tricia and our guest author, Cassandra Frear, have both shared wonderful thoughts on the habit of resting and each time I’ve read their posts, I put a mental check mark in that box and say “yep, I already do that one.” We’ve long had a routine of quiet time in the afternoon. A few precious moments of silence for Mom to refresh.
Am I Really Resting as a Homeschool Mom?
But what occurred to me recently was how rarely I actually use that time to refresh. When I come to that part of the day I breathe a sigh of relief, pour myself some coffee, and think, “finally a few minutes for myself.” Then I open the laptop, check on Facebook, read a few blogs, catch up on e-mail, and then… oh, it’s time to start dinner. The time is gone and I’m probably more tired than I was before.
Then I heard a little whisper from the Lord saying to me, “you don’t need more time for yourself, you need more time for Me.” So I decided to try things a bit differently. I closed the laptop and reached for my Bible. For 15 minutes I just sat and read and asked God to give me the energy I need to finish the day strong. I looked up the word “weary” and reflected on what I found in those pages:
Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:30-31
Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28
Resting in Him
I was amazed at how instantly I could feel the weight of the day wash away. All through dinner I kept thinking on those verses. It was much easier to smile genuinely when my husband came home, much easier to stay engaged through the evening, rather than mentally checking out the minute dinner is over.
More Encouragement For the Homeschool Mom
- A Homeschool Mom’s Morning Routine – Part 1
- Part 2 – Imperfect Edition
- Part 3 – Getting Mom Ready
- Survivor Edition – A homeschool mom’s routine with a new baby
- Taking Care of You! The Homeschool Mom
- How to Start a Homeschool Routine
Kendra is a stay-at-home homeschooling mother of four rowdy boys. Okay, three rowdy boys and one who is still sweet and cuddly. She’s married to her high-school sweetheart. When she’s not playing teacher, nurse, cook or housekeeper, she loves to read and write.
-August 2010
Beautiful. So true where our strength will really be renewed! The real rest. Powerful reminder.
Tricia, Love your new pic!!!
I think resting is an art that we as mom’s have to learn, because it doesn’t come naturally. We are always looking to maximize the time by doing one more thing.
What we (I!) forget is that resting in Him is the best use of our time.
Isaiah 40:31 has been one of my favorite verses for a long time and I find myself calling on it often as a mom 🙂
These words and your heart are beautiful!! Thank you for the reminder that true rest can only be found in HIM!!!
Such encouraging words…thank you Kendra!
This is wonderful! Usually, when I like something and find it helpful, I bookmark it and forget about it. This time, I’m not bookmarking it, I’m just going to do it. Quiet time tomorrow, 4pm, date with God. <3
I am exactly the same way! “Do it now” is about the only way I ever do anything 🙂
Beautiful post. I find that too much time on the computer gets me wound up, and it’s hard to fall asleep. Maybe it’s the fast pace of the Internet? So computer time is not truly relaxing for me.
I remember the days of expecting a child while looking after others. You have good reason to be tired! ‘This too shall pass’ really is true. In the meantime, prayer makes all the difference. I needed that reminder now when I’m not so tired, just busy! Thank you.