Free shipping on all orders over $75🎄

Hi, mama. It’s me again. I’ve been struggling a little lately and wanted to talk to you about it. Maybe you feel the same? 

For the past few months, we’ve all been making the decisions we feel are best for our families, haven’t we? 

A lot goes into those decisions. We think about our physical health and our emotional health. We think about whether or not we have high risk people living under our roof, or if we’re in regular contact with loved ones who fall into that high risk category. We think about our personal circumstances. Do we work outside of the home? Do we need to have others watch our children during the day? What is best for our family? What can we handle? What can’t we handle? We think about all of this. 

Some of us are thinking about this all of the time. Or at least it feels that way. 

Because the minute we finish making a decision and we have a moment of peace, we take a deep breath and we think, “Whew! I’m glad that’s over!” 

And then, just like that—another decision comes our way. Sometimes a day later, or a week later, and sometimes even that same day. 

What will we do about school? Sports? Church? Extracurriculars? Birthday parties? Slumber parties? Social gatherings? Vacations? Work? 

RELATED: No, I Don’t Know What’s We’re Having For Dinner, I’m Just So Tired of Making Decisions

The requests come flooding in and with each request comes another decision. 

Mama, I don’t know about you, but I am so. tired. of. making. these. decisions. 

Last week, I had a bad day. Like an, I need to go for a walk and be by myself, honey you need to take over everything because I just need a minute to breathe and think kind of day. 

Have you ever had one of those? 

We had just finished making what felt like our 100th decision of the week and then another one came our way. Our daughter was invited to a sleepover with a bunch of her friends. And I’m so sick of saying no, but given our family’s personal circumstances, I didn’t feel like I could say yes. 

RELATED: To My Friends Still Social Distancing

And this moment, this choice, this decision, felt a little like the straw that broke the camel’s back. I couldn’t say no. And I couldn’t say yes. I didn’t feel like I could possibly make one more decision. 

For some, that may sound ridiculous. And for others, that may make perfect sense. I don’t want to get into an argument or debate about what we should all be doing, or how we should all be handling this. 

Because really, nobody knows. This is new. For all of us.

We may have our opinions or our beliefs about the perfect way to respond in any given situation, but I’m not sure that’s fair. I haven’t walked in your shoes. And you haven’t walked in mine. 

Our family has continued to practice social distancing, we wear our masks, and I am teaching my children from home first semester. This is what we’ve needed to do for our family. And sometimes it’s isolating. Sometimes it feels lonely. Sometimes I feel like I’m in a pressure cooker and I just want to say, “Forget it! We will do whatever. I’m done fighting this battle. I’m done trying. I can’t do this anymore. I don’t want to say no one more time to one more thing. I don’t want to have to look my children in the eyes and say, ‘I’m sorry. Not this time.'” 

RELATED: Even My Tired is Tired

Mama, have you felt this way? 

But then, after I’m done throwing my little mental tempter tantrum, I take a deep breath and I realize that isn’t really what I want. 

Like a teenager who yells, “I hate you!” and slams the door. Or the toddler who says, “You’re so mean, Mommy!” Or the kid who declares he will “never ever (fill in the blank).” They don’t mean it. Just like I don’t mean it either. 

I will keep trying. I will keep making these choices. Because that’s what I have to do. That’s what this season requires. 

This is the season of decision making. So I will keep putting one foot in front of the other. I will keep taking it to God. And talking it over with my husband. And making the choices we feel are best for us during this season of life. 

Sometimes I will feel tired, but I will get to the other side. 

Mama, you will get to the other side. 

RELATED: God’s Plans Are Greater

This is part of our story. This is shaping us and molding us, like all of our life experiences do. We can do hard things. Our children can do hard things. We can make hard choices today. And make more hard choices tomorrow. And in the midst of the difficulty, our eyes can be opened to the good. To the joy. To the blessing. To the gifts. 

Today, my family and I watched church and then spent the afternoon playing tennis together. Last night, we played a family game. My children are still seeing their friends, and my husband and I are still seeing ours, too. Yes, it’s outside and yes, it’s with the space between us in mind, but we are still enjoying that time together. 

Life is different, but it isn’t all bad. In some ways, it’s really good. There are things about this season that I love. 

And that’s what I need to remember. There will be hard days. And there will be good days. There will be days when I feel like I can’t do this anymore. And there will be days when my eyes will be opened to all of the things we are experiencing that we wouldn’t if our lives were so overbooked and overscheduled right now. 

One day, this will be a part of our past. 

But for now, it’s our today. 

For now, we are in an era of decision making. And God is doing something in this season. Let’s not ever forget that. He is always working. He is always moving. 

He is with us in each of our decisions. In fact, He knew before the beginning of time this would happen. He knew the decisions we would make. This all may be a giant surprise for us, but it isn’t to Him. 

RELATED: Lord, I Hear Your Whisper

He has always known this would be a part of our stories. 

He has paved the way. And that’s what I will remember when I’m weary. That’s what I will remember when another decision comes my way. 

He’s got this.

Don’t let this time break you, mama. I’m not going to let it break me. Stand strong. Do what’s best for your family. One decision at a time. 

He’s holding us. 

We’ve got this. 

So God Made a Mother book by Leslie Means

If you liked this, you'll love our new book, SO GOD MADE A MOTHER available now!

Order Now

Jennifer Thompson

Jennifer Thompson is a freelance writer, preschool art teacher and mother of four with a heart for Jesus. Her work can be found on a number of blogs and parenting publications. Recently relocated from Indianapolis to Nashville, Tennessee. She is a passionate storyteller and believes every person has an important story to tell. We grow when we share. And even more when we listen.  

Your Husband Needs Friendship Too

In: Faith, Friendship, Marriage
3 men smiling outside

As the clock inches closer to 7:00 on a Monday evening, I pull out whatever dessert I had prepared that week and set it out on the kitchen counter. This particular week it’s a trifle, but other weeks it may be brownies, pound cake, or cookies of some kind. My eyes do one last sweep to make sure there isn’t a tripping hazard disguised as a dog toy on the floor and that the leftover dinner is put away. Then, my kids and I make ourselves scarce. Sometimes that involves library runs or gym visits, but it mostly looks like...

Keep Reading

This Is Why Moms Ask for Experience Gifts

In: Faith, Living, Motherhood
Mother and young daughter under Christmas lights wearing red sweaters

When a mama asks for experience gifts for her kids for Christmas, please don’t take it as she’s ungrateful or a Scrooge. She appreciates the love her children get, she really does. But she’s tired. She’s tired of the endless number of toys that sit in the bottom of a toy bin and never see the light of day. She’s tired of tripping over the hundreds of LEGOs and reminding her son to pick them up so the baby doesn’t find them and choke. She’s tired of having four Elsa dolls (we have baby Elsa, Barbie Elsa, a mini Elsa,...

Keep Reading

When You Just Don’t Feel Like Christmas

In: Faith, Living
Woman sad looking out a winter window

It’s hard to admit, but some years I have to force myself to decorate for Christmas. Some years the lights look a little dimmer. The garlands feel a bit heavier. And the circumstances of life just aren’t wrapped in a big red bow like I so wish they were. Then comparison creeps in like a fake Facebook friend and I just feel like hiding under the covers and skipping it all. Because I know there’s no way to measure up to the perfect life “out there.” And it all just feels heavier than it used to. Though I feel alone,...

Keep Reading

When Your Kids Ask, “Where Is God?”

In: Faith, Kids
Child looking at sunset

How do I know if the voice I’m hearing is God’s voice? When I was in high school, I found myself asking this question. My dad was a pastor, and I was feeling called to ministry. I didn’t know if I was just hearing my dad’s wish or the call of God. I was worried I was confusing the two. It turns out, I did know. I knew because I was raised to recognize the presence of God all around me. Once I knew what God’s presence felt like, I also knew what God’s voice sounded like. There is a...

Keep Reading

To the Woman Longing to Become a Mother

In: Faith, Grief, Motherhood
Woman looking at pregnancy test with hand on her head and sad expression

To the woman who is struggling with infertility. To the woman who is staring at another pregnancy test with your flashlight or holding it up in the light, praying so hard that there will be even the faintest line. To the woman whose period showed up right on time. To the woman who is just ready to quit. I don’t know the details of your story. I don’t know what doctors have told you. I don’t know how long you have been trying. I don’t know how many tears you have shed. I don’t know if you have lost a...

Keep Reading

I Was There to Walk My Mother to Heaven

In: Faith, Grief, Loss
Hand holding older woman's hand

I prayed to see my momma die. Please don’t click away yet or judge me harshly after five seconds. I prayed to see, to experience, to be in the room, to be a part of every last millisecond of my momma’s final days, final hours, and final moments here on Earth. You see, as a wife of a military man, I have always lived away from my family. I have missed many birthdays, celebrations, dinners, and important things. But my heart couldn’t miss this important moment. I live 12 hours away from the room in the house where my momma...

Keep Reading

God Sent Me to You

In: Faith, Motherhood
Newborn gazing at mother with father smiling down

I was a little unsure As I left God’s warm embrace: What will it be like? What challenges will I face? There were so many questions Running through my mind. I asked around for the answers I was hoping to find. Who will hold me And cuddle me tight? Who will rock me To sleep at night? RELATED: The Newborn Nights Feel As Endless As My Love For You Who will comfort me When I’ve had a rough day? Who will be there To take my worries away? Who will nourish me And make sure I grow? Who will read...

Keep Reading

Addiction Doesn’t Get the Final Say Over My Son

In: Faith, Motherhood
Woman praying with head bowed

She is so tired. It is a kind of tired that no amount of sleep or rest can alleviate. It is a kind of tired that surpasses physical and even mental fatigue. It is a tiredness of soul—a tiredness that comes from wondering, and grieving, and not knowing how to save her son from the drugs the enemy has bound him up in. She kneels alone on the floor in her bedroom closet. This is where she came when the fear and the uncertainty and the panic started to creep into her heart again. She came here to pray, though...

Keep Reading

I Want to Be a Praying Mama

In: Faith, Motherhood
Dirt road at dusk

I want to be that praying mama. The one who stops on the side of the road when the time seems fit, just to take those few short, undistracted moments to lift my kids up to God. I want to be that praying mama. The one who prays while she drives down the road to schools and lifts each one up as they exit the car for the start of their day. RELATED: Praying For Your Kids is Holy Work of Motherhood I want to be that praying mama. The one who does it so much that the youngest doesn’t...

Keep Reading

Blessed Are Those Who Can’t Even

In: Faith, Living
Woman rubbing temples with hands, color photo

We argued about an orange last night after dinner. Not even a large orange. A tiny mandarin. As emotions escalated between my beloved husband and me, the eldest child graciously removed herself from the table and donned noise-canceling headphones while the smallest child openly snickered and was dispatched to her room to play while we hashed things out in “peace.” I’d love to say that was the most insane thing we’ve ever argued about, but that would be a lie. My kids love to remind us about the breadstick incident a few years back. Life has been a bit overwhelming...

Keep Reading