My grandmother called me the other day, checking on our busy family. Three of us were in Tampa to watch Vivienne play in the National President’s Cup (aka national soccer championship) while the other three of us were holding down the fort at home. We laughed about how Jonah and Vivienne love to sleep till noon while Jillienne is wide awake at 6:30 every morning, ready to start her day.
“Oh my. I don’t think I could do that anymore,” my grandmother stated, referring to the early mornings, wrangling children.
“Me either,” I laughed.
Raising kids is exhausting. It’s not just the late nights and early mornings, although that definitely plays a big part. It’s also the managing of anxieties, managing of schedules, talking teens off the ledge when their feelings get hurt, planning playdates for the younger kids, making sure they don’t rot their brains on video games and television. Plus, add in all the normal activities like grocery shopping and cooking dinner and doing the laundry and supervising chores.
Did I say that raising kids is exhausting?
When I was in the thick of parenting littles, someone mentioned a verse to me. One I had never really paid attention to.
“He tends his flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.” Isaiah 40:11 NIV
I needed that verse when my kids were little. When they were throwing tantrums and not sleeping and I didn’t know what to do. I needed the reassurance that Jesus was gently leading me. I love the picture I see when I read this verse, a picture of a gentle shepherd, arms stretched out as he leads his flock.
As he leads me.
I recently came across this verse again as I’ve been reading and praying through the book of Isaiah. It’s rough out here, y’all, but when I read those words, I instantly felt the peace of a good shepherd, a good Father, leading me as I try to lead my family.
I may not have babies anymore, but my kids still need me, often more now than they did as toddlers. Their needs are different but no less important. So this verse gives me hope that I am being led by Someone much greater than me, Someone who loves my children much more than I ever could.
Maybe you’re in a different season of life than I am. Perhaps you do have babies and toddlers at home right now. I remember those days. The never-ending diaper changes, rocking babies to sleep only to have them wake up as soon as you lay them down, crying for no reason (the baby and you!), feeling touched-out every single day, the physical exhaustion every single night.
It’s difficult.
It’s tiring.
But you’re doing good work.
I am praying for you, friend, that you will feel the Father’s peace. That He will guide and lead you as you guide and lead your family. Let Him carry you.