Fill Your Cup With Joy

Motherhood is never a constant. There are hills where you feel on top of the world. You’re on your game, everything feels in your control. You’re eating well, you’ve made your weekly dinner menu, laundry is caught up, and your kids are actually listening to you! 

Then come the valleys. You’re desperate for a third cup of coffee on an empty stomach, you have no groceries or clean underwear. The kids have destroyed the house and won’t put their pants on. And you forgot their doctor appointments… 

Some days are just like that. But how do we make those days happen less often? I’ve found that what it boils down to is whether or not we are pouring from an empty cup or a full one? As mothers we can always scrounge up the energy for our kids, but what does that leave us? Do we get just a sip or a whole cup?

Some days I just don’t have it in me to do much beyond feed, house, and clothe my children. But how do I find the energy the other days? What’s the variable that changes whether or not I’m on a hill or in a valley? I think it boils down to Jesus & self-care.

Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you. Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for today is its own troubles.

Matthew 6:33-34

I find that putting the Lord first gives me a peace and understanding that allows me to slow down and calm my mind. The less anxious I am the more energy I have to climb out of that valley and find my mountaintop. But even when I’m up there, I don’t always have it together. The difference is knowing that it’s ok. The view looks just as good whether or not the dishes are clean!

When I can read a book or the Bible, journal, water my flowers, or pretend I know how to feed my sourdough starter, I feel renewed. Filling my time with things that bring me joy (if even for 5 minutes at a time) helps me fill my cup. Leaning on others for help, and leaning on Jesus makes my cup overflow! When my cup is full I can pour for my children and there’s a little extra for me too!