Picture this: the kids are hollering in the background, there’s a mountain of dishes in the sink, the laundry is half-folded (maybe), and somehow, the garden is already three weeks behind. It’s not just a rough day—it feels like a whole season where I’m constantly running behind and overwhelmed: in homeschooling, home management, and honestly, just life.
And honestly? My kids are behind in homeschooling. My oldest is two grades behind in one subject, and my second grader somehow managed to be two grades behind while still technically in second grade. Most days, the thought of schooling consistently on top of everything else feels daunting. Add in running our business, managing the homestead, and gearing up for garden season, and it all just feels… insurmountable.
Just when you think you’re catching up? Boom—life happens, and you’re back at the bottom of the mountain.
But here’s the beautiful truth: God doesn’t measure our worth by our productivity.
“From the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”
Psalm 61:2
That “rock that is higher than I”? It’s God’s stability, strength, and perspective when everything around us feels shaky. Sometimes falling behind isn’t failure—it’s an invitation to fall onto our backs so we can finally look up.
When I think about those overwhelming days, I realize how often I try to be the “rock” for my family. I want to be steady, dependable, and strong. But God never asked me to be the rock—He asked me to build my life on Him. There’s so much freedom in knowing I don’t have to be the unshakable one. I just have to cling to the One who is.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed as a mom today, remember:
- God meets you right in the middle of the mess.
- Our bodies and minds weren’t meant to carry the weight of tomorrow’s worries.
- Trust isn’t about having it all together; it’s about letting God carry us when we can’t carry ourselves.
I’ve packed my blog (https://hesitantroot.com) with practical tips for managing time, homeschooling, and homesteading, but even with all the “right” systems in place, overwhelm still sneaks in.
Maybe today, surrender looks like reading one more story instead of checking another thing off the to-do list. Maybe it’s pausing to laugh with your kids, even if it means the dishes wait a little longer. Maybe it’s just breathing deep and remembering that God holds your tomorrows.
If this resonates with you, you might also find encouragement in my book, Gritty Grace of Motherhood. In one chapter, I share about a time when postpartum anxiety and overwhelm brought me to my knees—literally, sitting on the kitchen floor, tears streaming down my face, with white noise drowning out even my children’s laughter. And guess what? God met me there.
He’ll meet you, too.
Let’s Do This Together:
- Grab a journal and write down everything that feels insurmountable right now. Sometimes naming our struggles strips them of their power.
- Ask yourself: What would it look like to let God carry these burdens today? Imagine handing each one to Him like unloading a heavy backpack.
- Pray this with me: “Dear God, I don’t know how to do tomorrow. I don’t even know where today ends and tomorrow begins. So God, I ask You to take my tomorrow. Live with me in my today. Correct my memory of yesterday. Take the overwhelm, teach me, and guide me to always trust in You.”
If you prayed that prayer with me, would you leave a comment below? I would love to pray for you personally. You don’t have to share all the details—just a “me too” is enough.
And if you have any tips for dealing with always feeling behind or just want to share what you’re walking through, I’d love to hear from you. We were never meant to do this motherhood journey alone.
