My Way of Escape

Early in the morning I hear footsteps coming down the hallway, “Hi, Mommy!” a cheerful 2-year-old voice says as he opens the curtains and sends blinding sunlight into my weary eyes.  “Lord, do I have to do this again?” I silently cry out to God in desperation and exhaustion as I step out of bed to take my little darling down to have his breakfast. Another day the same old – same old.

By midweek or late in the week I’m feeling tired of these early mornings. The day-to-day needs, the squabbling, the spills. The endless cycle of feeding, clothing, and washing. I secretly want to escape the chaos of life at home with children. There’s no escaping toddlers or their big siblings, but God has provided another way of escape. A favorite motherhood verse that I claim a lot is this one:

There hath no temptation taken you, but such is common to man, but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able, but will with the temptation also make a way of escape, that ye may be able to bear it. -1 Corinthians 10:13

I remember many times when my oldest ones were babies and toddlers waiting at the back door for Graeme to come so I could literally escape! Most days, there isn’t an escape for some alone time from the rigors of the home. Our escape is Jesus. Crying out to Him for help is all that we can do, and that is just what He wants us to do.

For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper. -Psalm 72:12

It’s still easy for me to forget that my way of escape is crying out to God in the difficult moments of life. I can ask Jesus for wisdom in dealing with endless bickering; beg God for mercy to speak sweetly when the toddler has flooded the bathroom – again! – and breathe a prayer for patience when I have just sat down for the first time all day only to be interrupted by a seemingly inconsequential “need”. God hears my prayers when I have a situation to deal with and I don’t even know how to pray about it! Jesus can perfectly intercede and give an answer to my unknowns.

If you’re weary in motherhood, cry out to Jesus. Believe that He loves you and that He can give you the mercy you need right now. Look forward to your times of respite, but don’t live for them. Ask God to help you love the messy, lively, unpredictable, beautiful life you live every day. His grace is available and He can enable us to be joyful mothers of children!

I loved this song we sang recently in church.  It applies so much to this topic:

Reach out to Jesus By Ralph Carmichael

Is your burden heavy as you bear it all alone?

Does the road you travel, harbor dangers yet unknown?

Are you growin’ weary in the struggle of it all?

Jesus will help you with all His name you call.He’s always there hearing every prayer, faithful and true.

Walking by our side, in his love we hide all the day through.

When you get discouraged just remember what to do –

Reach out to Jesus, he’s reaching out to you.

 And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. -Exodus 33:14