It’s Time for Rest & Relaxation
There comes a time in the life of a single mom that you get tired. Yes, I said it, you get plain old tired. You get mentally, emotionally, physically, financially, and spiritually TIRED. Tired of being pulled in twenty different directions in a day. Tired of making life-altering decisions for you and your children. Tired of being stretched and strained and depended up by others yet have no one you can depend upon. Tired of cooking, making bottles, doing laundry, helping with homework, changing diapers, filling out paperwork, creating budgets, arranging childcare, overcoming failed relationships, creating multi streams of income to be sure you and your children’s needs can be met: JUST PLAIN OLD TIRED. The only solution to being tired is rest…
As you pray let peace take over your mind. Peace and the single mom can help when you are stressed and need relief. HERE.
Who has time for rest?
I know, it is a very rare thing that occurs in the Life of a Single Mom. “Where is there time for rest?” I remember asking God this question and later telling Him, “I barely have time to eat, shower, and clean. If I do not get this done, WHO WILL?” So, I continued on, and after being placed on three blood pressure meds and the threat of a stroke on several occasions, I began to seek after ways to combat chronic stress syndrome. I did not find it in a wine glass. I did not find it in the random and rare dates that occurred. I did not find it in the anxiety meds. I did not find it in my job or even in my children. I found it through my relationship with God. You see, oftentimes, extreme fatigue impairs our judgment. We begin to make poor choices, and it wreaks havoc on our lives and the lives of our children. How do we combat this extreme tiredness and weariness? Well, the only way to counteract this attack is to take refuge to the one who loves us more than we love ourselves: the one and only true God.
Importance of Rest
Please understand, it has taken me years to understand how to relax and rest. Honestly, I just really understood the importance of resting and how it is ordained by God. My twin daughters are twelve years old, and my son is thirteen. I have been a single parent for eleven years, and it has been a journey. Because my ex-husband was not an active parent, all duties fell on me. I remember being upset and hurt when he re-married. I never even had time to meet anyone, let alone date, and marry. All my time was consumed by being a Special education teacher, raising my children, and completing my Doctoral degree. Rest and relaxing were foreign words to me. However, I started hearing the words “self-care” and “resting in Jesus” more frequently. It became apparent as I struggled with the day-to-day challenges of parenting, working full-time, and managing a household. Things had gotten even more hectic when COVID-19 hit, and all three children were home with three different school assignments from three schools. The glimpse I had of “REST” and “RELAXATION” suddenly became obsolete. But as you know, God loves us so much that HE will give us peace in a disastrous storm. In the midst of chaos, God showed me how to rest. He took me back to HIS word. He reminded me of the days where I would sit before Him and find peace. All I know is this: God is not a God that He shall lie. If He did it for me, He will do it for you. Seek after your peace. Seek after your rest. We have to moms. It is the only way we will be the Godly women of virtue and valor that God predestined us to become from day 1. Resting is also something we must teach our children to do as well. We do not want them growing up living in constant go-mode and never unplugging to replenish and re-strengthen their minds, bodies, and souls. We are their first role models. We set the standard for them. So here are FIVE scriptures that we can teach our children that will help US make resting in Jesus a priority in our homes:
- Mark 6:31
“Come with Me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”
- Isaiah 40:31
“But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.”
- Psalm 4:8
“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.”
- Exodus 33:14
“The Lord replied, ‘My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.’”
- Philippians 4:6-7
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Remember This Awesome Mom:
God will give us healing and power, and He will bring a victory, even when we feel outnumbered or too tired to keep pressing on. Peace to you and your children this day. Take a deep breath and remember, He is fighting for you. Just REST and RELAX in HIM!
Dr. Shelia Truelove is a philanthropist at heart and believes in motivating and equipping others to become their very best. Divorced for nine years, Dr. Truelove is the proud mother of 10-year-old twin daughters and an 11-year-old son. Some of the most notable accomplishments achieved have been as a single mother. When she completed her Doctoral Degree, her twins were 4 years old and her son was 5. When she completed her first published children’s book entitled, “I CAN WIN,” her twins were 8 years old and her son was 9. The one source of her strength is that of God. Her overall mission is to empower other single moms to raise God-fearing, hope-filled, and prosperous children in spite of any challenges faced. For more information, visit drsheliatruelove.com.
