Hey there, Mama,

It’s been a little over two years since my mother-in-law passed away. During that time, our family walked through other hard seasons and unexpected losses. For nearly two straight years, I poured myself into supporting my husband and children through the challenges they faced.

Somewhere along the way… I unintentionally neglected myself.

During that long stretch, I got what I thought was COVID. I experienced neck and back pain like never before. I began having what I assumed were perimenopause symptoms. It was harsh. My body felt like it was turning against me.

Then one morning—months after my mother-in-law passed—I was on my 40-minute drive to work when I suddenly began to cry. Not a gentle tear. An involuntary, deep, from-the-core cry.

I had no idea why.

It felt like my body could no longer suppress the grief and emotions I hadn’t processed. I paused to take a moment with God, “Lord, what is wrong with me? Why am I crying?”

And in the quiet of that car ride, I sensed Him say: “Karen, you’re tired. You’ve been carrying everyone else and haven’t made time for yourself.”

It was as though God had to allow me to fall apart so I would finally receive the care I needed.

Devotion: When He Makes Us Lie Down

Woman laying in green pasture full of yellow flowers.

“He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul…”
— Psalm 23:2–3 (KJV)

In Psalm 23, David describes a Shepherd who doesn’t just guide—He makes us lie down.

Most of us don’t lie down willingly. Especially not mothers. We are nurturers. Protectors. Fighters. We will do whatever it takes to care for the people we love. But being strong does not exclude us from needing restoration.

Our souls need restoring.
Our bodies need rest.
Our hearts need space to process.

God is a good good Father. He does not send sickness to punish us. But sometimes, in His mercy, He allows our bodies to signal what our souls have been whispering.

You are tired.
You are stretched.
You need to lie down.

Scripture reminds us that He restores our souls. Not when we earn it. Not when everything is finished. But when we pause in His presence.

Mama, God cares about your whole well-being. He desires that you be in good health and that your soul prospers (3 John 2), but we must also be mindful of our limits.

We cannot do God’s job for our families. Let’s choose to lie down in green pastures before our bodies force us to.

Take a Moment to Reflect

Woman with glasses siting at a table on the patio, writing in a journal.

Many of us wait until we break down to slow down. We push through fatigue, dismiss aches and tension, and silence emotions because “everyone else needs us.” But what if intentional pause is obedience?

Take a moment to reflect:

Where have I been overriding my body’s signals?
What emotions have I postponed processing?
What would intentional rest look like this week?

Pray: Lord, thank you that you care about my entire being; spiritual, mental, and physical. Help me to listen to signals you allow my body to give me, and help me lean on the wisdom of your Holy Spirit when I need to pause and rest.

Portrait of a black woman smiling with heart hands in front of her face.

Healthy Boundaries Are an Act of Love

One way to be intentional about taking rest is to create healthy boundaries. It is not a form of rejection, but an act of love. In this blog, we explore what boundaries truly are, how they protect your mental and emotional health, and why setting them with compassion can actually strengthen your faith, family, and relationships.

Read the full blog here.