Ep. 88 || Momma Needs Her Sleep: Gospel Hope For the Tired Mom
As moms, we spend a lot of time thinking about sleep, like, “Will I get to have it?” and “I can’t sleep – I have too much to do!” From tiny baby bellies to late-night toddler questions, we sacrifice our sleep out of love and service to Christ through caring for our families. In this episode, Laura and Emily discuss how the gospel gives hope to the weary, sleepy mom (most of us, right?). In light of God’s promises to us, we no longer worship sleep as an idol or ignore our need for rest. Instead, Christ has freed us from either extreme, offering us true rest and hope in himself. We may be tired, but we can trust him with our needs.
Articles, Resources and Related Content:
Momma, Jesus Invites You to Come and Rest - Liz Wann, RM Blog
The Sovereign Hand of Sleeplessness - Kristin Tabb, Desiring God
3 Truths for the Tired Mom - Elisha Galotti, Revive Our Hearts
I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead - Mary C. Wiley, Everyday Theology
Self-Care in the Busyness of Motherhood | Ep. 86 - RM Podcast
“It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.” -Psalm 127:2
“Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.” -Psalm 121:4
"Humble yourselves, therefore,under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you." -I Peter 5:6-7
“God gave us sleep to remind us we are not him.” –Charles Spurgeon
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R|M Apply Questions:
It can be challenging to see past the sleepless nights and tired mom brains, but in the midst of weariness, there is gospel hope for us: God’s mercy. It is merciful to get up and change a diaper. It is merciful to stay awake into the night to hold a child. It is merciful to deny oneself out of love for another. By God’s grace, it’s in these sleepless seasons that we learn to image God to our families. Let’s take a look at our hearts, how we treat sleep, and how the gospel offers us rest in this week’s discussion questions
We can idolize sleep and we can pridefully ignore our need for it. One way to better understand our personal tendency is to ask yourself, “How do I respond when my sleep is interrupted?” and “How do I respond when I can’t finish my to-do list because I need to rest?” If we use sleep/rest to avoid our responsibilities or if we refuse to rest, we are not living with a biblical view of rest. How do you answer those questions?
Praise God for never sleeping or pausing his eternal work! We can trust that God is sovereign over every aspect of our lives, which frees us from the pressure of “keeping the world turning.” Do you have any worries or anxieties that keep you from resting? How can you offer these to God’s care in light of this truth?
When we’re in a season of interrupted sleep, it can become challenging to see the purpose. We know that we’re called into the service of Christ by loving our families. How does your sacrifice of sleep serve your families and image God’s love to them?
There is no biblical passage on sleep training your children. There will always be various circumstances that require different actions from different moms. What matters is the heart. What heart questions lie at the center of sleep training?
Lastly, one day, momma, we won’t be tired! This is our promise and our hope: God is using all things for our good and for his ultimate glory. How does this truth give weight to the many unseen moments of motherhood? How does this help encourage you in your sleepy state?
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