Scars of Motherhood

June - July - August; three months of the year where warm sunshine blankets the northern hemisphere of the United States.

It is in these summer months that the light canvases the sky from early dawn to late evening. And it is during this time that sunshine breathes life into plants and flowers, and where once frozen lakes become refreshing swimming holes to escape the late afternoon heat. If you are anything like me, I find myself craving summer nine months of the year.

Until, of course, the day comes when the big, comfy sweaters and loose fitting jeggings need to be replaced with the dreaded swimming suit. There’s just something about baring our bodies that brings light to the scars of motherhood.

Physically, my saggy, stretched-out skin and “outie” belly button give light to all three of God’s miracles. And that extra roll of fat around the stomach and bra line? Well, that most accurately depicts a winter where hibernation and comfort eating reigned. The physical evidence of being a mother simply does not lie.

The scars of motherhood, however, often extend well past the bodies we bare.

It is in our souls - our very lifeline - that usually depicts the most telling of our motherhood scars. Exhaustion, overwhelm, stress, burnout, anxiety, worry, and fear are emotions that give warning to a soul in need of renewal. It is our litmus test, if you will, of a life that is overflowing with being too scheduled and busy to take time for ourselves.

A friend once told me, “It’s just easier to put myself last.”

Can you relate to this? I know I can.

Truth be told, it is easier to put ourselves last.

But, when we consistently choose to put others in front of us, it is our soul that suffers. Before we know it, we begin to wonder who we are an what we have become.

In 1 Kings 19, verses 3-9, Elijah is on the run, afraid for his life. He went from town to town, before finally entering the wilderness alone. As he laid down, he prayed God would allow him to die. “I have had enough, Lord” (v.4).

God sent an angel to tell Elijah and told him, “Get up and eat some more or the journey ahead will be too much for you” (v. 7). And so Elijah got up and ate and drank before traveling 40 days and nights to Horeb, the mountain of God (v.8).

Like Elijah, who needed physical bread and water to nourish himself for the long journey, we too need our bread and water.

However, in our 21st-century living, our bread and water is not physical food. It is about seeking time for ourselves to refuel, replenish, and to renew our worn out and weary soul.

This “me” time is not a luxury. It is about survival; running through the season of motherhood unscarred.

The question, of course, becomes how do you renew a worn out soul?

While the world is quick to point out earthly self-care strategies like vacations, shopping or dinner’s out as ways to fill you; I find these activities renew you only temporarily.

The best and most renewing form of self-care is to make a date with your Heavenly Father. To sit at His feet, read His Word, and pray to Him. When you consistently choose to spend time with God, you are not only saying yes to you but allowing God to replenish your parched soul.

As Lois Evans once said, “The only one who can truly satisfy the human heart is the One who made it.”

Friends, if you find yourself drained from the demands of life, I pray you cancel appointments, find a babysitter, and simply allow yourself to sit with your Creator.

It is in the sitting that God will gently heal your motherhood scars.

Serving Him,

Angie

Self-care is a topic near and dear to my heart. To find more posts about self-care or what I call, soul-care, visit me at www.angienippert.com