By: Lauren Thomas
Motherhood can be a challenge. What once were simple tasks, become… well… nearly impossible! Leaving to run a simple errand now feels like planning and packing for an overnight trip. Finding time to eat a meal? Well, moms have a gift for finding things, but not time. And going to the bathroom? It usually happens with an audience.
The Bible doesn’t have a lot to say about motherhood. But there is a short account that could be a snapshot of what I’ve just described.
30 The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. 31 And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. 32 And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves. 33 Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them.
Mark 9:30-33 ESV
You just have to laugh!
The disciples had just come back from doing ministry. These were busy guys. Jesus knew they needed rest, so He invited them to a quiet place to eat and refresh themselves. But even this they couldn’t do because the people got there ahead of them!
As a mom, this feels too relatable! It also feels comforting, oddly enough.
And here is why:
Jesus sees my struggles. He sees the struggles of motherhood. Just as he saw and understood the experience and needs of the disciples, he sees and understands my experience and my needs (even when meeting those needs is occasionally derailed).
But the encouragement continues:
34 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them
Mark 9:34a ESV
When the struggles of motherhood mount, I can lose patience – maybe even compassion – for my children. But in this Biblical account, Jesus had compassion on the very people getting in the way of the disciples’ time for rest and recharge.
As I run out of patience mothering my littles, I remind myself: Jesus has compassion on them. And Jesus has compassion on me.
Motherhood can feel harried. Harried is defined by Google as “feeling strained as a result of having demands persistently made on one; harassed.” When motherhood feels harried, the very thing I need most is His compassion: for me, for my little ones, and for me to give to my little ones. If He gave it to his followers, He gives it to me as well.
Thank you, Jesus, for Your compassion.
Reflection:
Is the word “harried” descriptive of you?
How can you receive Jesus’ compassion? How can you extend His compassion today?
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