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Climbing the Mountain of Motherhood {& GIVEAWAY of #PressingPause Coffee Basket}

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Welcome to you joining by finding your way here from my Proverbs 31 Ministries devotion today called How to Climb the Mountain of Motherhood. {To read it, click here but be sure to come back for the giveaway!}

How to CLimb the Mountain of Motherhood #PressingPause to rest your soul in God. From karenehman.com

As promised in the devotion, I am giving away three gifts that include a copy of my new devotional for moms called Pressing Pause: 100 Quiet Moments for Moms to Meet with Jesus. AND…..a bag of a coffee that I love: Rwanda by Biggby Coffee. Farming and production of gourmet coffee has become a focus of efforts to rebuild Rwanda, devastated by civil war and genocide in 1994. Rwanda offers the ideal environment for growing coffee, producing beans that are smooth and rich, with a fruity note. This coffee is 100% Fair Trade.

GIVEAWAY!!! #PressingPause & a bag of Karen's favorite coffee at karenehman.com

To be entered to win, tell us what mountain in motherhood you are currently facing—laundry, dishes, paperwork, a special needs child, an unruly toddler, perplexing teen or aging parent. Remember, as the devotion said:

“Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken” (Psalm 62:5-6).

When we carve out time to rest in God — taking a physical break and filling up our spirits — we gain hope and acquire strength to face the challenges of life. When God is our fortress, nothing can shake us.

Have you been trying to scale the mountain of motherhood at break-neck speed, rarely stopping to refresh and refuel? Maybe it’s time to adopt the “climb high — sleep low” strategy yourself. It will make a difference. Even if it is just stopping long enough to savor a cup of coffee with the Savior, drinking in deeply the truths from His Word.

When we pull back for a bit, we’re better positioned to return to our tasks with renewed strength and a fresh perspective.As you scale the mountain of motherhood, God will be with you in the highs. He’ll refresh you in the lows.

Press pause, and meet with Him today.

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388 Comments

  1. Mountains of laundry, dishes, and staying on top of our homeschooling schedule for our three daughters. I love it, but it’s definitely a busy busy time!

  2. I’m not sure if I can adequately describe my mountain. My heart is so broken right now, and yet I still have to carry on as mom, wife, daughter, and friend. Two days ago, I would have described my mountains as trying to keep up with a busy household with 8 children ranging in age from 20 down to 5. I homeschool them, which is a blessing, but also a huge mountain. I often feel like a failure in this area, but I keep plugging along, knowing that the Lord gave me this journey, and that He will bless it. Trying to keep up with school work, house work, yard work, doctors’ appointments, and kids’ activities also feels like a mountain and never ending. I know many families also have children with physical issues, but several months ago, my precious 8 year old was diagnosed with cataracts, and is scheduled for surgery in a couple of weeks, that may or may not be successful. Another huge burden (mountain). However, as of Saturday, these all feel like nothing compared to the new challenge our family will be facing. My oldest child informed us that he and his girlfriend did not remain pure in their relationship, and are now expecting a child. Neither of them is equipped for this, and I am feeling like our world is quickly spinning out of control. I am desperately seeking the Lord’s face and will during all of this, but I still feel so lost and overwhelmed. I pray that my son and his girlfriend will realize that they need to repent and make their hearts right before the Lord, but I’m fearful that they won’t.

  3. Mountains piled on top of Mountains, that how some of my days feel. Always piles of laundry, dishes, and cleaning to do, but that’s just the little stuff. The stress, anxiety, and overwhelming emotions of dealing with my kids father, lawyers, judges, and a very sadly broken court system that is not honest and does not consider the best interest of the minor children has drained me mentally, physically, and financially over the past 6 years. I ask for prayers for strength from all of you as my teen age daughter is struggling with depression and repeatedly says she wishes she was dead. The situation with her father is intense, physically and emotionally. I turn my heart to God, but find myself struggling to find the time and energy to stay in His word. I pray for wisdom to guide her through this challenging time and strength for her mentally and spiritually to help get her out of this place, for her to grow in her relationship with the Lord, and to learn to rely on Him and only Him.

  4. My mountain of motherhood is dealing with three kids and a sick husband. The kids are older and help a lot, for which I should be grateful!
    Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net

  5. This prize would go to my own mom who deals with the mountain of being unemployed and trying to balance everything going on! She’s my hero!

  6. Loneliness and feeling trapped in my motherhood. I moved to a new town, and I see my friends and family living their lives and going places and doing things that I want to do. My girls are 5, 3 and 3 months old. My husband really wanted a third, so I feel like I gave up a lot of freedoms. I feel guilty and resentful and lonely. God is meeting me here though. And I have much to be thankful for. I just have to be intentional in my giving thanks.

  7. Thank you for this devotion. I read it this morning as I breastfeed my 11 week old baby girl. She is my first child and has been such a blessing to my life. However, I have to go back to work in approximately 15 days, and I am terrified. That is my mountain. I am very worried about going back to work full time to my job that has a tendency to take over my life and balancing that with being a good mother. I know my faith is bigger than my fear… I am working on shaking the fear. I believe your book can help me with the anxiety as I get closer to going back and then it can sustain me with God’s word each day once I am working again.

    Thank you for the opportunity.

  8. I have 3 babies under 3 right now. I’m beyond blessed and thankful for everyday. My biggest mountain now in life I would say is dealing with the terrible two’s with 3 very strong willed toddlers. I loved this post because it is all so true. When I find time in my day to talk with God and spend time in his word he truly speaks to me. Being still and listening is my desire.

    1. I would like to encourage you to not only keep on keeping on, but also to try to enjoy and purposely remember as many moments as you can during this crazy, but wonderful season in your life! I too was in your position 17 years ago (Wow! I can’t believe how quickly time has flown). Looking back, I wish I would have treasured more moments instead of just trying to get through each day. I focused too much on how others viewed my parenting skills, cooking skills, and house cleaning skills. I wish I would have written more down about cute, wonderful, and even horrible (at the time, but now seems trivial) events, so that I could remember them more clearly. I love my oldest three kids with all of my heart, but I do truly miss those hectic early years! I’m trying to take my own advice with my younger children as well!! Just know that this time, although sometimes crazy and hectic, will fly by, and you will even miss it!

  9. While I have 2 children ages 5 and 2, my mountain right now is more about my spouse. He hasn’t been able to work due to a back issue and is scheduled to have surgery next week. I’ve been feeling stressed and scatter brained. I feel like I cannot focus on anything. As soon as I start one task, I get distracted by another. My two year old has been very clingy lately and my 5 year old just came down with a fever. I just want things to go back to normal! I’d appreciate prayers!

  10. Right now many things are changing and I feel like my mountains are many and very different. We are trying to buy a house and it’s very stressful. We had a house that we loved but had to back out because of extensive electrical problems. So we are on the hunt again. My children right now are going thru very different and hard stages I feel. My older son is 8 and the younger one is 3. I need to learn to relax, let some things go, and enjoy it more.

  11. Would love this gift. Everyone could use a little refreshment with Jesus! Always!

    Mom of 7 in a blended family. Full-time stay at home mom and 1 college class per semester mom.

    18 yr old-1
    17 yr old-2 (twins)
    16 yr old-1
    14 yr old-1
    12 yr old-1
    10 yr old-1

  12. I’m facing so many mountains like everyone else. It seems to never end. Homeschooling a high schooler and a junior high schooler, never ending housework, financial issues, vehicle problems, weight loss issues, and now I’m in the stage of taking care of my parents and my 93 year old grandmother. It’s overwhelming some days but I’d never change my life with anyone.

  13. Karen, how timely your message. I saw your post on Proverbs 31 and had to write a resounding “Thank You” for today’s message. I needed to read those beautiful words as I climbed out of a mountain of laundry, dishes, to-do list and more. We have just arrived home from vacation, and what often looks and feels like rest can often create more messes to be cleaned upon arriving home. Your message kept my spirit high all day as I checked off each item from my list of chores. I even paused to spend creative time with my pre-schooler, versus rushing around trying to finish everything. Before my feet hit the floor in the morning, I like to read my daily devotion. My Heavenly Father knew your post would be just the balm I needed to conquer the tasks before me. Thanks again! Blessings to you!

  14. Homeschooling fears (we are behind, testing, etc), laundry, dishes, my health issues, fear that I won’t be able to have another child (my 4th and last), my husband’s crazy work and travel schedule, car issues, finances, clutter I want to purge, discipline issues with my boys, lack of sleep, restrictive and time consuming diets, and worst of all a lack of time with God (some due to time issues, others due to complete exhaustion and just not knowing where to start).

  15. I’m facing the mountains of laundry after travel and also raising our little family away from the help and support of family. Sometimes the mounds of laundry and dishes that need to be done daily overshadow the dusting and vacuuming, etc. that then make me feel really behind. But as I read your devotional this morning, the metaphor of motherhood to scaling a mountain resonated and reminded me of how crucial my time with the Lord is in my attitude as a mother. Thank you!

  16. The mountain of laundry that needs to be folded and put away, as well as the rest that is still waiting to be washed.

  17. My mountain is having an on the verge one year walker and driven like his Daddy five year old. We have a fixer up farmhouse that I never get the opportunity to help fix up b/c I’m usually trying to stay afloat in the midst of a sea of dishes, laundry, feedings and fits. This last year I went from beginning to regain some independence with a increasingly self sufficient 4 year old (at least compared to a toddler) to totally losing it again with a brand new baby with overzealous, relentless teeth that all seem to make their debut right when he started sleeping soundly through the night. I keep trying to remember it’s all only for a season and not wish these precious years away…

  18. My mountains right now are the usual housework…but it’s also a toddler who is pushing back and becoming more independent (which is great but so hard at the same time?). My 5 month old also just had surgery because we found out a cataract has been blocking her vision since birth so I’m home taking care of her as she recoupes. That means no paycheck for us though and we are a two income family. We know God will take of what we need, but it puts stress on my husband and I don’t wish to have on him. We also have to begin doing therapy with her and I have to begin putting and taking a contact in and out of her eye weekly as she learns to see from her eye for the first time. God is sooo good in leading dr’s to find this so early, but it’s tough too. However, I can do all things because of Jesus Christ and because He is my resting place. Thank you Lord

  19. Breakneck speed without pausing to refresh and refuel! That is my situation now with – a new job, spending time with my recently widowed mother, worrying about my adult sons… Thank you for your devotional. It sure “hit home” with me.

  20. Thank you, Karen, for hope from God and His Word. I know I’ve read Psalm 127:2 but it really hit me in your devotional. I feel I’m always climbing a mountain but the one that has seemed insurmountable for a long time is my beloved teen who is good but often butts heads with me. I need wisdom to choose the right moments to engage her and to show her I love her despite our “battles”.

  21. I am dealing with the dilemma of choosing what next for school for my son. Do we repeat kindergarten or move on to first grade (the question is primarily based on age brought up by teachers). Do we stay at our Christian day school that is currently in turmoil caused by poor leadership or do we move to public schools?

  22. This devotional was perfect timing, just what I needed to hear today. My mountain is two very energetic kids 1.5 and 4 years old and trying to keep up with all the housework, cleaning, dishes, laundry, the piles of paper. I need to remember to rest in the Lord and look to Him for strength. Thanks for the encouragement.

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