The Pressure to Keep Going

I used to believe that resting meant I was lazy. That slowing down or saying no meant I was letting my family down.
The world tells us we should be able to juggle it all — spotless houses, home-cooked meals, thriving kids and a perfectly planned week.

So even when I paused, the guilt crept in:
Shouldn’t I be folding laundry?
I need to finish my to-do list!!
Am I failing if I rest?

I lived that way for too long — always pushing, always performing.
God gently whispered a different message: You weren’t made to live this way.

God’s Invites us to Rest

From the beginning of creation, God built rest into our rhythm.
He created for six days… and then He rested. Yes God rested!!
Not because He needed to — but because it was good.

“Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28

God doesn’t bless burnout.
He invites us to slow down, to trust Him and to receive rest as a gift — not a reward.

When I started building routines that honored that rhythm, I finally felt peace again. My stress lessened. My presence deepened. And rest no longer felt like a luxury — it became essential.

What Rest Can Really Look Like

Rest doesn’t always mean a nap or a weekend away. Sometimes, it’s just small moments that help you breathe:

• Sitting on the porch and feeling the sun
• Reading a devotional or simply sitting with God
• Saying no to another commitment so you can say yes to presence
• Choosing frozen pizza and peace over perfection

Rest is physical, yes — but it’s also emotional, mental and spiritual.
It’s not about stopping everything. It’s about surrendering the pressure to do everything and to do it perfectly. 

The Lies We Believe About Rest

Even when I knew God was calling me to rest, I still resisted it, because I wanted to be the perfect mom.

We believe lies like:

• “Rest is lazy.”
• “I haven’t earned it.”
• “Everything will fall apart if I stop.”
• “It’s selfish to rest when others need me.”

But here’s the truth:
God isn’t impressed by how exhausted we are.
He’s not keeping score. He’s offering a gift to all of us.

And rest?
It actually makes us better moms. It allows us to show up better for our family. 

You Don’t Have to Earn Rest

For years I thought rest had to be earned:
Once the house is clean… once the to-do list is done… then I can pause.
But I’ve learned that rest is part of how God cares for us.

It’s a rhythm He created — one that allows us to show up fully for our families without losing ourselves.

You don’t have to be finished to take a break.
You just have to be willing.

When we rest, we say:
“God, I trust You to hold what I can’t.”

You’re Allowed to Rest

If you’re running on empty, hear this:

💗 You are allowed to rest.
💗 You don’t have to do more to be more.
💗 Rest isn’t giving up — it’s letting God hold the weight for a while.

You were never meant to carry it all. You were never meant to run without stopping.

So today, take one small step toward rest:
Sit with your coffee.
Say no to what’s not yours to carry.
Let the to-do list wait while you lean into grace.

Because you are enough.

“In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength…” – Isaiah 30:15

Let’s be women who choose rest.
Let’s be moms who model grace.
Let’s live like we believe rest is not weakness — but wisdom.

And friend, I’m walking that road with you. You’re not alone.

With love and support,