Kirsten Watson’s husband, Benjamin, played for six NFL teams and won a super Bowl in 2005. Much of the time over those 15 years, she found herself on her own in a new city with no support and the responsibility for handling a household of seven children, including twins. At one point, her stress was so severe that she suffered from migraines and was told that her pain would continue unless she made some changes.
Maybe you can relate to the pressure Kirsten felt. According to a recent Barna study:
- Eight in 10 moms feel overwhelmed by stress.
- Seven out of 10 moms say they don’t get enough rest.
- And a surprisingly low 19% of moms report being “extremely satisfied” with their role as a mother.
There are many reasons for such deep feelings among moms, but the most common is burning the candle at both ends. Moms work hard in and out of the home.
Being a mom takes strength, courage, and lots of love and laughter. Motherhood is rewarding, but it has its challenges. Sometimes, you just need to close your eyes, say a little prayer, and take a breath.
But who has time when no matter how much you get done, there’s always more to do?
Rest is often perceived as an absence of something, rather than an active and beneficial component to our lives. In music, there is an interval of silence called a rest. The silence between the notes is as crucial to the song’s rhythm and tempo as the notes themselves. Far from being void of purpose, the rest is active and helps frame the melody of the song.
A healthy life is framed by rest. Our bodies, our minds, and our emotions need time and space to recover from the stress and hard work we encounter throughout the week and to help us keep our priorities in focus.
Kirsten Watson is with us on our Focus on the Family Broadcast “Hope and Encouragement for Moms,” sharing how moms can slow down and be present, despite the busyness of motherhood. Join us on your local radio station, online, on iTunes, via Podcast, or on our free phone app.
Our conversation centers around her book Sis, Take a Breath: Encouragement for the Woman Who’s Trying to Live and Love Well (but Secretly Just Wants to Take a Nap). We’d like to offer you a copy for a gift of any amount. Click here for details.
