Pour It Out

“It reminds us first and always to pour out our troubled thoughts and honest hearts at the feet of Jesus.”

“If you bow low in God's awesome presence, he will eventually exalt you as you leave the timing in his hands. Pour out all your worries and stress upon him and leave them there, for he always tenderly cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7 (TPT)

1 Peter 5 teaches servant leadership to those in charge of leading God's flock. That’s you and me, momma. We may not be leading churches, but we are most definitely leading God's flock toward Jesus. That can be a daunting task. But where the call is big, the Word offers to cover our souls in comfort like a warm blanket. 

This chapter reminds us to guide, protect and oversee our kids, not with an iron fist but with compassion, with the Spirit’s leading. We’re called to consider mommaing (I made that up) a pleasure, not just a duty. And there’s a command to pour out our worries and stress upon Him because He sees us with compassion and love. We are cherished daughters, never forgotten. 

When my kids were small, I found myself overwhelmed often. I struggled with moments of resentment, feeling unseen and unappreciated. There were times I wondered if the things I did for my kids could have been done better by someone else. Most of those feelings came from not having the right perspective about parenting. Perhaps I discounted how valuable my role as a shepherd to my kiddos was when I was ankle high in burp cloths, diapers and dishes. I know I read 1 Peter, but I those truths didn’t play in my head. 

But this guidance, though it was meant for pastors, is guidance for us as moms as well. It reminds us first and always to pour out our troubled thoughts and honest hearts at the feet of Jesus. He wants our stress and our concerns and our moments of resentment,  because it’s too heavy a load for us to carry. God uses parenting to keep us at His feet. He knows what we try to carry as shepherds of our children because He is the Chief Shepherd. He knows the struggles of wrangling humans and loving them well. 

God promises us that He sees us, that He’s patient with us, and that His grace is enough to handle our burdens. Mom, bow low in God’s awesome presence, pour out your worries and leave them there. 

Action Steps:

• What heavy load are you trying to carry by yourself? Lay it down, pour it out. Set it at the feet of Jesus and leave it there. He loves you, momma.

• Read all of 1 Peter 5, highlight or write down the good stuff. 

Written by Brooke, shepherd of 3 of God’s flock