This weekend is Mother’s Day. (You read that right, Dad. You have three days). I thought about writing to moms about the weight of motherhood. It’s a heavy weight, right? We have read a million posts about the mental load we often bare, on top of the actual physical responsibilities and tasks that are calling out to us. But I don’t believe that you need another post lamenting on the weight of motherhood—regardless of how heavy the weight may sometimes feel.

Instead, I want to offer a different spin on this feeling of “overwhelm.” I want to look at the root of the issue, and possibly even offer you a solution.

Let’s start with what the Apostle Peter has to say. In 1 Peter 3:3-4 we read, “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”

First of all, the Apostle Peter isn’t saying you shouldn’t wear jewelry or nice clothes, but instead he is stating that your true beauty comes from the inside, from a gentle and quiet spirit. Now, if you’re like me, you may start to get a bit concerned. I used to read this passage and worry that I was too loud or too headstrong to be considered to have a “quiet and gentle spirit.” (I mean, if you’ve met me in person, I don’t think “quiet” would be a word you would use to describe me). I used to pray that God would mold me into something different because I misunderstood what this passage meant.

As it turns out, the word for “gentle” here comes from the Greek word praus, meaning mildness of disposition, or meekness. That still had me concerned, until I read this: “Meekness toward God is that disposition of spirit in which we accept his dealings with us as good, and therefore without disputing or resisting. In the Old Testament, the Meek are those wholly relying on God rather than their own strength to defend them against injustice” (Bible.org).

Suddenly “gentle” no longer means “weak,” but instead it means that we realize that God is in control, and we are fully relying on His strength and not our own.

This word praus is seen in other places in the New Testament. In Matthew 11:29, Jesus says we can come to Him and find rest because He is “gentle and lowly in heart.” In His sermon on the mount, Jesus blesses the meek (praus is used again), saying they will inherit the earth. This word praus means those who fully rely on God.

I don’t know about you, but the words I often hear to describe motherhood are often negative in nature. Overwhelmed. Stressed. Busy. Overworked. Mental load. Under appreciated. Tired. But what if we flipped the script? Romans 12:2 tells us, “Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will.”

God’s will for mothers is not to live a life of constant overwhelm. His will for mothers is praus. He wants you to bring him your fears and your worries, your anxieties and your stress. You aren’t called to carry these burdens alone. Praus means that you understand that God is in control, and you trust Him with it.

According to dosomething.org, approximately 91% of women struggle with body image. But the Apostle Peter is specifically warning women not to find their beauty in outward appearance, but instead implores us to clothe ourselves in gentleness (praus), which allows us to trust in God for the things that may lead to fear. I love the way Beth Broom says it, “When our outward appearance—whether physical beauty or social behaviors—begins to consume our thoughts, we are trusting in ourselves to produce attraction, friendship, respect, and approval. But, in God’s sight, the woman who trusts Him fully and rests in Him is precious.”

Friends, let’s do this today. Let’s lay our burdens at the foot of the cross, and let’s stop trying to do it all on our own. Rather than lugging around the weight of the burden of motherhood, let’s bask in the love of Jesus who longs to carry the weight for us. It likely won’t happen overnight. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and the stress you feel is likely the culmination of years of trying to do it all on your own. Start with small steps of surrendering your fears and worries at Jesus’ feet. He can more than handle our mess.

You were created for more than the world tells us that motherhood has to be. You were created for love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. It’s time we start being kind to ourselves by trusting in the one who made us mothers in the first place. And when we begin to trust him fully, we will begin to feel the burden of overwhelm slowly slip away. And I believe that God wants to replace that overwhelm you once felt with JOY.

We are in this together.

Wendy

Proverbs 23:25 Let your father and mother have joy, and let her who gave birth to you rejoice.

Proverbs 31:29 There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!