Overwhelmed, but Not Alone: A 5-Day Devotional for the Weary Momنموونە

Day 1: God sees you.

The other day, in a moment of frenzy and chaos, I began to notice a harshness in my attitude and actions. I found myself speaking in clipped tones, commanding and demanding of those around me, namely my children. Truth be told, I could look back and see a string of days just like this one—crowded moments that were so harried and hectic that I felt justified in my horrible behavior.

I didn’t want to grow apathetic or callous toward the daily duties right in front of me. I was already overwhelmed, after all. Neglecting or mishandling my responsibilities would only make them grow bigger. And yet, I felt so alone in my efforts. Invisible. Undervalued and underappreciated. Perhaps you’ve felt this way at times, too.

So much of your motherwork is unseen—changing diapers, picking up dirty towels from the bathroom floor, and sitting in the carpool lane until the end of time. You work in humble places. It’s easy to feel forgotten and insignificant, especially when you’ve been ground down by the kind of mundane work of everyday motherhood that only you can tackle. But amid your labor, don’t forget what Colossians 1:16 says: that God is at work creating the visible and the invisible. He is a God of hidden tasks, too. He makes and sustains every breath you take, holds the galaxies up and keeps them turning, and swirls the sand beneath each wave. Though no one may ever see all He does, He’s unceasing in His service.

In Genesis 16:13, when Hagar fled from a distressing situation, she referred to the LORD, her kind Rescuer, as El Roi, “a God of seeing.” What’s more, she confessed that He didn’t just see her, but He looked after her. There was action in his care. The very God that is often unnoticed by you and me notices everything we do and moves on our behalf. He sees you on nights when sleep evades. He sees you when you receive discouraging news. He sees you when your heart is unsettled or anxious by your never-ending To Do list. He sees you in your suffering and takes action.

Every time you quietly restore order to this broken world, laboring in the shadows of your home, you partner with Him. Your daily faithfulness declares, “Though no one else sees, God, You do. And that is enough.”

Reflect:

1.In what ways have you felt insignificant or overlooked in your motherhood?

2.How does the knowledge that God sees you, even on your most hectic days, affect your understanding and appreciation for the work He has given you to do?

Pray:

Father God, in the middle of the mundane tasks of motherhood, when I feel overlooked and overwhelmed, may I remember that You see. You look after. May I not grow indifferent or weary in my work. Thank you for your unwavering example of hidden faithfulness. In Your Son’s name, I pray, amen.

Meditate:

Genesis 16:13, “So she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, ‘You are a God of seeing, 'for she said, ‘Truly here I have seen him who looks after me’” (ESV).