The sleepless nights. The interrupted sleep. It.is.so.hard.for.me. I want to have endless compassion and patience. But I just don’t. None of us do, I guess, since we’re humans. But wow, sometimes in the middle of the night or right when we get up in the morning, I find myself so frustrated after being up again and again with a little person. When they’re newborns you kind of expect it. They need to eat so often! But once they start sleeping through the night, I continue to be shocked when they don’t! Just when you think your baby has got it figured out- they don’t! The teething starts. Ugh. After teething there is potty training. Then nights with the occasional bad dream, thunderstorm, or “I can’t sleep Mommy.” And by high school, you’re the one staying up waiting for them to get home! So I suspect this phrase can be on repeat for all the phases of the parenting journey: “When I’m up for the 5th time in the night, I can remember what a merciful thing it is to care for my children as God cares for me.”
A remarkable thought, me caring for my daughter as God cares for me! I fall so short. And how amazing that God does care for me! His compassion and patience never run out or run low. God never gives up on me. His mercies are new every morning, so mine can be too.
But this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I will have hope in Him.” The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. Lamentations 3:21-25
We get tired of heart and weary of body and sometimes wonder if we can continue, but God is not like us. His power is inexhaustible, his commitment is unshakeable and so our hope in him is secure – Paul Tripp.
I pray that I remember and acknowledge God’s inexhaustible power. And that when I’m tired or lonely or even discontent in this Mom-job, I will look to Jesus as my source of rest, strength, community and hope. More sleep, coffee, chocolate or scrolling on my phone won’t fill the holes in my heart. Only Jesus. What a mercy.
“When I’m up for the 5th time in the night, I can remember what a merciful thing it is to care for Mercy as God cares for me.”
(This quote: I keep it in my planner to see it over and over 🙂 It’s my summary of a quote from Risen Motherhood, one of my favorite Instagram accounts!)