I'm an author, entrepreneur, and Christian therapist from the state of Texas. I love encouraging other moms in the everyday moments of motherhood and their walk with Christ.
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The 6-Second Rule Every Overwhelmed Mama Needs
Published 3 days ago • 5 min read
Hey there, Mama
I’m not a big sports girl. Not a football girl, anyway. My husband and my sons are, but it doesn’t always click for me.
However, recently I watched the Nick Saban documentary with my husband, and it was really good. It taught so much about commitment, perseverance, focus, and all the things. One moment stuck with me more than the rest.
A sports psychologist told him not to worry about winning the game or winning national championships. Just worry about executing every single play to the best of your ability, because every play only lasts about 6 seconds.
If they focused on the play in front of them, that’s how they became winners. And even if they didn’t win the game, they’d know they had done their best, because they stayed focused on what was right in front of them.
That spoke to me.
As a mom, a business owner, a wife, and someone active in ministry at my church and in the community, I sometimes get overwhelmed by the big visions God gives me. I trust Him with the big stuff. But when it comes to the daily tasks, I forget about the steps it takes to get there. I get so busy staring at the big picture that I become overwhelmed by it.
So what if we took the same approach as moms?
What if we stopped worrying about the next step and just focused on the step of faith God has asked us to take right now?
One play.
One moment.
One 6-second step of obedience at a time.
Devotion: Run the Play in Front of You
Scripture
“Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” — Matthew 6:34
“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 4:6-7
Jesus said it plainly: don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow has enough worries of its own. And that makes so much sense. Like, why would we do that to ourselves?
It's because in motherhood, there is no shortage of things to worry about. I guess that is fact.
How is the economy doing?
Why are groceries so expensive?
How am I going to afford diapers?
How am I going to get my child through college?
How am I going to get everything done on tomorrow’s to-do list?
Those worries can pile up fast, and before we know it, we’re anxious about days that haven’t even happened yet.
Nevertheless, look at what Jesus says right before this verse. He points us to the birds of the air and the flowers of the field. They don’t stress over tomorrow, and God takes care of them.
If He takes care of the sparrows and the lilies, why would we think He’d forget about us?
Why overwhelm ourselves with what God hasn’t asked us to carry yet?
Just like those 6-second plays, God isn’t asking us to win the whole season today. He’s asking us to be faithful with what’s in front of us right now.
Today’s conversation.
Today’s diaper change.
Today’s meeting.
Today’s prayer.
Today’s step of faith.
And when anxiety tries to pull us into tomorrow, Paul gives us a better response in Philippians 4: be anxious for nothing, but in everything, bring it to God in prayer, with thanksgiving.
Then, notice what God does in return: We hand Him our anxiety, and He gives us His peace. (He's so wonderful!) And not just any peace, but a peace that surpasses all understanding. Wow! It's the kind that doesn’t make sense on paper, but guards our hearts and minds anyway.
Listen Mama, you don’t have to figure out the whole season today.
Just run the play in front of you. And trust God with the rest.
Take a Moment to Reflect
Take a moment to reflect:
Ask yourself:
What “tomorrow” worry am I carrying today that God hasn’t asked me to carry yet?
What is the one step of faith God is asking me to take right now?
Where do I need to trade my anxiety for God's peace through prayer and thanksgiving?
Pray: Father, thank you for being such a good, good Father. Lord I lay my worries at your feet, and exchange them for your peace that surpassess all understand. I choose to trust you. When I forget, remind me to focus on the play in front of me, and trust you with tomorrow. In Jesus name.
One Play at a Time: What Nick Saban Taught Me About Mindful Motherhood
Read more my most recent blog how the 6 second sports analogy helps with understanding mindfulness in motherhood.
Mom Tips: For Focusing on "The Play" In Front of You
🤎 Pick your “one play” for the day. Before you start, ask God, “What’s the one thing You want me to do well today?” and let that be your focus.
🤎 When your mind jumps to tomorrow, pause and pray. Name the worry out loud, then hand it to God with one thing you’re thankful for.
🤎 Break the big vision into small steps. Write down only today’s step and let the rest wait.
🤎 Give yourself grace when the day doesn’t go perfectly. Even great players have bad plays. What matters is that you show up for the next one.
🤎End your day by naming one thing you did faithfully, even if it was small. Faithfulness over perfection.
Faith-Filled Affirmation For the Week
"Today I will focus on what is in front of me. I trust God with tomorrow, and I release the worries that are not mine to carry. I will take the step of faith He has placed before me, and I receive His peace, which guards my heart and mind."
Closing Encouragement
Remember,
You don’t have to carry the whole season on your shoulders, or solve next month, next year, or the next twenty years today.
God has already gone ahead of you, and He’s already holding tomorrow. Your job is simply to be faithful with the play in front of you.
Six seconds at a time. 😉
With love and encouragement, Karen 🤎
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Helping Christian Moms Pause & See God in the Everyday Moments
I'm an author, entrepreneur, and Christian therapist from the state of Texas. I love encouraging other moms in the everyday moments of motherhood and their walk with Christ.
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