I had just had my second baby, and we had recently relocated to the UK. I was far away from family and friends. The community I had spent more than 30 years building was suddenly out of reach.
When I had my first baby, I was surrounded by so much love. My mum and my mother-in-law were always there whenever I needed them. Friends sent food, and people came to visit us often. We felt cared for. We felt loved.
But this time was different.
Here I was with a toddler and a newborn, and I was overwhelmed. There was no familiar support system around me. I dragged myself through each day, crying more often than I would like to admit. The days felt long, and the hours seemed to stretch endlessly.
I needed to pour love into my children, but I felt as though I had so little left to give.
But God was there.
I kept crying out to Him. They were not long or carefully worded prayers. I did not have the strength for that. Sometimes, it was simply a quiet plea in my heart:
“Help me, Lord. Please send me a family.”
God heard me. He is close to the brokenhearted.
He sent a wonderful woman from church who came alongside me. She encouraged me through Scripture, and somehow, I began to find strength again. We also became part of a community where we found genuine love and support.
Looking back, I know it was not a coincidence. God had not forgotten me. He saw what I was carrying, heard the prayer I could barely speak, and sent help when I needed it.
All I had to do was call on Him and lay my burden at His feet.
Perhaps you feel overwhelmed in this season of motherhood. The days may feel long, and the hours may seem endless. You may be giving so much of yourself that you wonder if there is anything left.
There is a God who sees you.
He is not standing at a distance, waiting for you to pull yourself together. He is inviting you to come just as you are, tired, tearful and carrying more than you think you can bear.
You do not need an eloquent prayer. Tell Him exactly what you need. If all you can manage is one sentence, pray that one sentence.
His answer may not look exactly like mine, but you can be sure that you are not forgotten. Bring Him your weariness. Bring Him your loneliness. Bring Him the burden you were never meant to carry alone.
He is El Roi, the God who sees you.
A quiet prayer
Lord, thank You for seeing me, even when I feel invisible. You know how tired and overwhelmed I am. I cannot carry everything on my own, so I place my burdens at Your feet. Please strengthen me and send the support I need. Help me recognise Your love when it reaches me through other people. Remind me that I am never alone. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Hold on to this today
“Help me, Lord.”
Sometimes, that is the only prayer you have strength to pray. And it is enough.