Today started so well. There were happy smiles and ready hearts. But somewhere between bath time and getting everyone settled into our usual routine, emotions began to run wild.
I had things I needed to get done, and the children were not as cooperative as I expected. I became angry. Eventually, I gave up. I was tired, frustrated and completely out of sorts.
I knew I could have responded with more grace. I knew I should have handled things better, but in that moment, I did not have the strength. I felt disappointed in myself.
Then one of my children had a small accident while playing. After the tears, he became quiet. I asked how he felt, and he told me he was sad.
I told him I felt overwhelmed too.
Then I said, “I think we should ask Jesus to help us with our emotions.”
We hugged and prayed. We did not use many words. We simply asked Jesus to help us and give us peace.
A few minutes later, everything felt calmer. There was peace in knowing that Someone greater than us was holding us when we could not hold ourselves together.
That simple prayer did not mean that my earlier response was fine. Grace does not ask us to pretend that anger has caused no hurt. But it does give us somewhere to take our failure. It gives us mercy, help and the courage to begin again.
Hebrews 4 tells us that Jesus understands our weakness. He does not wait for us to become calm, patient and put together before we come to Him. He invites us to come to Him for mercy and for grace in our time of need.
Sometimes our time of need is right in the middle of an ordinary day, when the children are emotional, the routine has fallen apart and we do not like the way we have responded.
Prayer may not always change the atmosphere as quickly as it did for us today. But when we turn to Jesus, we no longer carry the weight alone. We can receive His mercy, make things right where we need to, and ask for His help with the next moment.
If you are a mum drowning under the emotional weight, tired and feeling as though you failed because the day did not go as planned, you are not alone.
Bring your honest emotions to Jesus. You do not need to hide your anger, tiredness or disappointment from Him. You do not need a long prayer. You can simply say, “Jesus, I feel overwhelmed. Please help me.”
He is willing to meet you with mercy and help.
A quiet prayer
Lord Jesus, I feel overwhelmed, and I do not have the strength to hold everything together. Please forgive me for the ways I have responded without grace. Help me to take responsibility without sinking into shame. Give me patience for the next moment, wisdom to make things right and peace in the middle of my emotions. Thank You for holding me when I cannot hold myself together. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Hold on to this today
“Jesus, I feel overwhelmed. Please help me.”
You can come to Him for mercy and grace, even after a moment you wish you could do differently.