“She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.” – Proverbs 31:26
Motherhood is a full-time job with many demands, responsibilities, and sacrifices. Therefore, we should prioritize self-care to avoid burnout and maintain spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being. With Mother’s Day approaching, here are some tips on how you can rest and recharge:
1. Start with prayer, reflection, and self-care.
Take some time to reflect on your personal values, priorities, and needs, and how you can align them with your faith. Then, express your gratitude for God’s blessings and seek His guidance and strength to nurture yourself.
Practice self-compassion, which means treating yourself with kindness, patience, and understanding as you would a friend or a child who needs comfort and reassurance. When you do so, remember to affirm your strengths and acknowledge your mistakes without critically judging yourself. Speak into your own heart and mind using positive words to reinforce your value as being created in the image of God.
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2. Practice mindfulness.
Sometimes, life can be fast-paced, and sometimes, losing yourself in the process is easy. Practicing mindfulness helps you slow down and find peace amidst the chaos. If you can, take a stroll outside and focus on the sounds of nature and how the sun feels on your skin. Appreciate the simple things in life. Here are other ideas to help you practice mindfulness:
- Pray. Start each day with prayer and meditation. Set aside time to read the Bible and reflect on God’s word and then pray for strength, wisdom, and guidance to handle the challenges of motherhood. When you feel overwhelmed, take a few minutes to close your eyes and focus on your breathing, inviting the peace from the Holy Spirit into your heart.
- Express gratitude. Reflect on all the blessings in your life and thank God for His provision. Rather than focusing on what you don’t have, concentrate on what you do have. Take time to appreciate the beauty of nature, the warmth of your family’s love, and the simple pleasures of life. Make a list of your blessings and post them on your fridge to see daily.
- Stay present. Tune out distractions and fully engage at the moment. When you make eye contact, actively listen, and are mindful of your body language, you show your loved ones that you value their time.
- Practice forgiveness. Forgiveness for yourself and others is essential for emotional growth. When you let go of anger and bitterness, you allow yourself to experience peace and joy. Forgive yourself for your mistakes and extend forgiveness to others. Remember that forgiveness is about moving forward and not holding onto the past.
3. Remember these Bible verses.
These verses celebrate motherhood, highlight mothers’ love for their children, and encourage them to continue to be the best versions of themselves.
- Proverbs 31:26, 28, “She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue…Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.” This verse describes a virtuous woman who embodies love, diligence, and wisdom. She is a woman who teaches her children and nurtures them, and her family recognizes her worth.
- Psalm 139:13-16, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” This Psalm reminds mothers that God loves and values their children even before birth. Every child is unique and wonderful in their own way, and mothers are blessed to raise them.
- Isaiah 66:13, “As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.” In this verse, God compares his love for his people to a mother’s love for her child. It reminds mothers that they are not alone in their love and care for their children; God is with them, supporting and comforting them.
This Mother’s Day, let us celebrate motherhood by encouraging other moms to prioritize themselves. Through rest and rejuvenation, they can bring more joy, love, and patience into their homes.
