I feel like I’m slowly emerging from a deep, dark, scary cave- also known as the 8-10 month sleep regression, followed by me getting sick, followed by my baby AND my husband getting sick, all while we attempt to sleep train. Yikes. 

From the craziness of the last few weeks, it seems that the little one has developed a whole new personality. When I was pregnant with her, many might recall me referring to her as my little firecracker: and now it couldn’t be a truer description. When did my baby get to be so big and independent? 

During this time of no sleep whatsoever, one specific verse has been coming to my mind time and time again:

Matthew 11:28-30

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light”.  

I swear this verse was written for mothers. I mean, it wasn’t, but it certainly overwhelmingly applies. 

One of the wonderful moms that I nannied for in the past said something that stuck with me, and I’ll never forget it- I was pretty young at the time and nowhere near motherhood, whereas she had a few children already and most definitely knew the endless weariness that motherhood can oftentimes produce. I won’t name her to respect her privacy- but I will say that she inspired me. Despite being up multiple times a night, she got up early; before any of her young children who get up early as it is; and she spent time with God. She prayed and she journaled. My own mother modeled this as well. I asked her how she did that, as I really couldn’t fathom functioning on so little sleep; and she told me: 

“I felt God tell me, ‘If you put ME first, I will give you supernatural rest’.” 

First of all, how amazing of a promise is that? SUPERNATURAL REST! What a gift! It’s also convicting. Have I been putting God first? Second? Dare I say it: am I putting Him last?? 

I will admit that I wasn’t putting Him first, and by changing that, the difference in the way I feel spiritually, emotionally, and physically is literally a night and day change. It’s a process, and I’m still working on making that the first part of my day, but in the meantime I’ve been choosing to take advantage of the quiet moments in my life to rest in Him. 

For a short period of time, I cared for the boy that I currently nanny in the comfort of my home. Now, however, we’ve gone back to going to his home. Since I bring my daughter with me, she ends up napping in a pack-n-play, with a handy white noise app on my phone to lull her to sleep. 

See, the downside to this was that while the two babies napped (yes, at the same time. YAY!), I didn’t have use of my phone to zone out on social media and online shop. Except: it turns out it’s not a downside at all.

I found myself with no reading material, no internet, and no phone. Every day. For 1+ hours. Just me, God, and quiet. There’s something deeply intimate that happens in that quiet time, and it’s so necessary. 

Psalm 46:10

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”

Psalm 62:1

“Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from Him.” 

I cannot stress how REAL and important these promises are for you, fellow moms. This should not be an after thought. It NEEDS to be a priority. 

Put God first, and be renewed. In Him and Him alone, you WILL find rest.