Anyone else just plain tired? Tired of breaking up kid’s squabbles, tired of cleaning, tired of cooking, tired of waiting for answers to medical issues, tired of waiting for that promotion at work, tired of waiting for someone to call offering an interview, tired of gift shopping and gift wrapping, tired of being everything to everyone? Christmas is such a beautiful season but it can be exhausting!

I think of Mary, and how tired she must have been, riding on the back of a donkey nine months pregnant. She was so close to giving birth and didn’t even know where her son would be born, if he would be born in the street because they couldn’t find a warm and dry place to rest. Every time I stop and think of this, my present troubles seem so minute. Labor and delivery are some of the hardest, most painful, anxiety inducing events. And I can’t imagine what Mary was feeling the night Jesus was born, far from home and laying amongst the animals, with all their smells and noises.

Mary I know found comfort in God, comfort in the fact that He was in control and that He knew exactly where Jesus was going to be born. I too need to lean into God, lean into His sovereignty and might, but in the daily grind that is sometimes so hard to do. Sometimes I just want to escape it all; a private beach sounds like heaven right now. So for those this holiday season that are struggling, that just want to escape it all, know you are not alone. Know that there is a God out there that is still in control, that nothing in your life catches Him by surprise, that He loves you so much He even knows how many hairs are on your head. And if you can’t even find the strength to crawl out of bed, He is laying there with you. If you can’t handle one more argument between your kids, He is there providing you with the strength and wisdom to do so, you just need to ask and believe.

Even as I write this I had to quick put down the computer and attend to the baby that had just given herself a bath with a water cup put too low by one of the big kids. Life is just plain exhausting and hard sometimes. It may be a daily struggle to find joy and hope and purpose, especially as a mom of littles. But you can, sometimes professional therapy and other resources may be needed, but you can. One day at a time, one moment at a time sometimes. Through community, by finding your tribe that supports you, that you can text and know you will have someone on their knees praying for you, through therapy, through scheduled you time that refills your cup, by rhythms of rest. But you can. My prayer is that every one of you reading this has at least one moment of joy, one moment of hope this holiday week.