You finally made it to daycare drop-off, only to realize you forgot the box of diapers. Again. But this isn’t just about a box of diapers. It’s about the mental load—the size of the full-time job you’re carrying before you even clock in.
You’re juggling a million decisions before 9:00am and still feeling like you’re dropping balls you didn’t even realize you were carrying.
Maybe you can relate to …
- Tracking feeding schedules in your head while reheating your coffee.
- Sneaking glances at grocery pickup slots between meetings.
- Slipping out early to make daycare pickup on time.
- Mentally calculating ACT deadlines while prepping for a call.
- Doing all the things—and still wondering if you’re missing something important.
If so, know that this article isn’t about adding one more thing to your plate; it’s about lifting the weight you’re already carrying.
My hope is that as you read, you’ll feel seen in your struggle, comforted by God’s presence, and invited into a kind of rest that meets you right where you are—not after everything’s done, but even in the middle of the mess.
The Weight You’re Carrying Is Real
In the middle of chaos, God offers something deeper than just getting through the day—He offers us victory.
The Apostle Paul, a biblical author, reminds us in 1 Corinthians 15:57 NIV, “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
You may feel the guilt of not spending enough time outside, the weight of unread emails, or the ache of wondering if you’ve been present enough with your people or with God.
It’s not just your schedule that’s full. It’s your mind. Your heart. Your expectations.
The mental load: The quarterly report tugging at your mind while you try to cheer at soccer games. The calendar overwhelm. The decision fatigue. The feeling that there’s never enough time for God.
And maybe the hardest part: Even your desire to spend time with Jesus can start to feel like another thing you’re not doing “right.”
You’re Not Failing as a Mom
Friend, if you’re tired, it’s because you’re carrying a lot, not because you’re failing. The endless lists, the invisible expectations, the longing to be present at work and at home—it’s heavy. And if no one else has said it lately: It’s okay to admit this is hard.
You are doing holy work, even on the days it feels impossibly ordinary.
Even in the chaos, Jesus sees you.
So if you feel stretched thin today, know this: You’re not weak—you’re weary. And even in the chaos, Jesus sees you.
There Is Real Rest for the Overwhelmed Mom
There is hopeful news for every mom who is overwhelmed.
Though we may not fully or immediately experience relief from our burdens, there’s relief for the sense of defeat at the core of our overwhelm. That relief is Jesus Christ.
He’s not standing at a distance with crossed arms, waiting for us to figure it out. He’s close. He’s kind. He’s inviting us to something we may not even realize we need: real rest for our souls.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 NIV
Notice what He doesn’t say:
- He doesn’t say, “Fix yourself first.”
- He doesn’t say, “Be better, hustle harder.”
- He doesn’t say, “Do more.”
Instead, Jesus says, “Come to Me.”
What Rest Can Look Like in Real Life
Resting in Jesus doesn’t always look like an hour-long quiet time with a candle and coffee (though that sounds amazing).
In real life, whether you’re a working or stay-at-home mom, rest often looks much simpler:
- Turning up worship music on your commute and letting it wash over your worries.
- Reading one verse while you drink a cup of coffee and letting that truth anchor you.
- Whispering a prayer before a big meeting: “God, be with me in this.”
- Listening to Scripture on the Bible App while folding laundry.
- Sending a text to another mom: “I’m praying for you today.”
Jesus isn’t measuring your spiritual performance—He’s offering His presence.
Every moment you turn toward Him, even if it’s messy or brief, is a moment He meets you with grace. And those little moments? They add up to a soul that’s being quietly and steadily refreshed.
You Don’t Have to Earn Rest
You don’t have to prove you deserve rest. Jesus simply offers it—because He loves you. He’s not keeping score. His love isn’t performance-based. It’s presence-based.
You are not alone. You are not failing. You are seen. God’s victory is on your side.
Today, you don’t have to try harder. You’re invited to lean in—to let Jesus meet you right where you are. In the carpool line. In the office. In the messy middle of your beautiful, complicated life.
Jesus’ rest is not a reward for the perfect mom. It’s an invitation for the weary soul.
Jesus’ rest is not a reward for the perfect mom. It’s an invitation for the weary soul. And that invitation is yours—right now.
One Simple Way to Rest Today
You don’t have to overhaul your life to step into His rest. Start small. Start simple. Start today.
Pick one:
- Whisper a one-sentence prayer between meetings: “Jesus, I’m tired. Help me.”
- Listen to worship music on the way to daycare pickup.
- Read a single verse while you eat lunch.
- Text another mom: “You’re doing great. I’m praying for you today.”
Every small step toward Jesus is a big step toward real rest. You don’t have to do it perfectly. You just have to come, and He will meet you there, with open arms, overflowing grace, and the soul-deep rest your heart has been longing for.