Journeying Through a Desert in Motherhood

I am currently in a season of life where I'm quenching my thirst for understanding God's Word on a deeper level. I don't say this to brag or boast. I say this because I feel like over the past few years I've been gradually leaving behind a desert. Like it says in Psalm 107:8-9 "Let them give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness, And for His wonders to  the sons of men!  For He satisfies the thirsty soul, And the hungry soul He fills with what is good."

I've been a mom for almost 17 years. In that time I have been pregnant for a total of 3 years, had at least one baby in the house for 4 years, had at least one child in diapers for 10 years, been sleep deprived for at least 14 years and  have spent countless hours feeding little people or cleaning up their messes. During many of those years, my devotion times were sporadic, quick and simple. However, those small moments here and there were like a cool drink of water to my thirty soul.

My brain was so tired that deep understanding of God's Word was difficult. If I sat down for more than 10 minutes to read, I would most likely be asleep.  I think God understands deeply the exhaustion of a mom during those early years. He knows our heart and hears those quiet prayers we pray when we're rocking our babies and caring for the unending needs of small children. 

Once my children were beyond the toddler and preschool years, a fog began lifting from my mind. I started finding little snippets of  time to read real books again. I mostly read books about being a good mom or how to handle sibling conflicts. I began to realize that my personal walk with God was not growing. It wasn't dead, it was just like a dormant desert plant. It had strong roots that had sustained it, conserving water waiting for the next rainfall. I was sustained by  sermons on Sundays, radio broadcasts and the knowlede of the Bible that I had obtained before having children.

If you find yourself in a desert like I did, I want to encourage you to remember that this is only a season. You will one day find yourself leaving it behind and quenching the deep thirst in your soul with deep study of the Word of God. You will become invigorated and vibrant like a blooming plant. 

Don't feel guilty if you suddenly realize you fell asleep while praying or you've only read your Bible once this week and can't remember the passage that you read.  Just continually talk to God and share your heart with him. Write out encouraging scriptures on index cards and post them on the refrigerator, bathroom mirror, by the kitchen sink or other places in your house that you pass by frequently.

Joining other women for a group study is something that I wish I would have done when my kids were younger. I think the adult conversation and the encouragement from older moms would have been a huge blessing and uplifting to my spirit.  I've been doing that for the past 3 years and it's so wonderful to learn from godly women from all seasons of life. Women who understand what you're going through and can empathize with you and tell you that you will one day have privacy again.

Motherhood is such a joyous and exhausting journey that is made sweeter when you have travel companions who understand the emotions, the desires and the daily triumphs.